Summary

  • FT: St Helens 18-8 Leeds

  • St Helens retain the trophy after beating York City Knights in last year's final

  • Try from player of the match Zoe Hornby put Leeds in front

  • Two second-half tries from Eboni Partington either side of Jodie Cunningham's score won it for Saints

  • Final precedes both men's semi-finals: Wigan v St Helens and Huddersfield v Hull KR

  • Get involved at #bbcrl

  1. Goodbye for now... but more to comepublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 7 May 2022

    FT: St Helens 18-8 Leeds

    St Helens celebrateImage source, Rex Features

    That's all we have for you from the Women's Challenge Cup final - but there is so much more rugby league to come.

    Flick over to BBC One now and you can watch Saints' men take on Wigan in the first of the men's Challenge Cup semi-finals.

    We'll also have live text commentary of that one very shortly. Grab a brew and we'll be back very soon to see if St Helens can enjoy double delight today!

  2. 'Patience told in the end'published at 13:58 British Summer Time 7 May 2022

    FT: St Helens 18-8 Leeds

    St Helens captain Jodie Cunningham told BBC Two:

    "It was really tough and it took everything we had today.

    "We knew Leeds would throw something at us but in that first 20 minutes they threw everything they had at us.

    "We knew we had to be patient and I had trust in our girls because we have quality across the board and that patience told in the end.

    "It was all about not panicking. We have not been behind yet this season so that was something we had to deal with mentally as much as physically. We had to refocus and at half-time we were able to settle down and recompose.

    "We were able to do the business in the second half."

  3. Postpublished at 13:56 British Summer Time 7 May 2022

    St Helens 18-8 Leeds

    Saints head coach Derek Hardman told BBC Two:

    "It was tough and we didn't expect anything less. We needed to stay in the grind and we did.

    "We knew Leeds would give everything they had got and we stood up to that challenge and we came out the other end.

    "There's always pressure on us. We have one in the bag. Let's try to win the other two trophies."

  4. Saints beat Leeds to retain Women's Challenge Cuppublished at 13:53 British Summer Time 7 May 2022

    FT: St Helens 18-8 Leeds

    Just joining us? Missed all the action in the first match of today's Challenge Cup triple header?

    We've got you covered.

    Click here to read the report as St Helens retain their Women's Challenge Cup title with a thrilling victory against Leeds Rhinos at Elland Road.

    Saints beat Leeds to retain Women's Challenge Cup

    St Helens retain their Women's Challenge Cup title with a thrilling victory against Leeds Rhinos at Elland Road.

    Read More
  5. St Helens lift the Challenge Cuppublished at 13:52 British Summer Time 7 May 2022

    FT: St Helens 18-8 Leeds

    Zoe Hornby goes up to collect her player of the match award before Leeds' players are presented with their runners-up medals.

    They're followed up by the jubiliant St Helens team, who to a woman have huge smiles plastered across their faces.

    They were tested today and emerged triumphant.

    Jodie Cunningham collects her medal last and then lifts the Women's Challenge Cup!

  6. Postpublished at 13:50 British Summer Time 7 May 2022

    FT: St Helens 18-8 Leeds

    Danika Priim
    Former Leeds and England forward on BBC Two

    For 60 minutes Leeds were on the front foot, they looked the better team and were doing the basics right.

    But Saints are a formidable force, they've got the strength and fitness.

    Saints had that extra 2-3% that helped them forward.

  7. get involved

    Get Involved #bbcrlpublished at 13:48 British Summer Time 7 May 2022

    FT: St Helens 18-8 Leeds

    Elizabeth: Cracking game. Congratulations to St Helens. Fantastic advert for the women’s game

    Harrison: Congratulations Saints. Proper tough game of rugby league, credit to Leeds too. Cracking effort for both teams, credit to the sport and women's sport overall

  8. Postpublished at 13:46 British Summer Time 7 May 2022

    FT: St Helens 18-8 Leeds

    Player of the match Zoe Hornby, of Leeds, told BBC Two:

    "I'm buzzing to be player of the match. We did what we wanted to do, it didn't come off and I'm happy with my try.

    "The crowd means everything. That's why we do it. We want to promote women's rugby and it was incredible playing in front of it.

    "We are confident we will go into Super League and we will tear it up this season."

  9. Postpublished at 13:44 British Summer Time 7 May 2022

    FT: St Helens 18-8 Leeds

    Kyle Amor
    Ireland and St Helens prop on BBC Two

    The effort and desire and commitment they all showed to go to the end. Both of these clubs are well respected and there's a healthy rivalry between them.

    But it's Saints who nudge ahead again.

  10. Postpublished at 13:41 British Summer Time 7 May 2022

    FT: St Helens 18-8 Leeds

    Andrea Dobson
    Former England captain on BBC Two

    That shows the side Saints are. As a neutral you want it to be a great game and they were really challenged in the first half.

    They're a top side and the individuals stepped up and the still got the win so credit to them it was a great game.

  11. Full timepublished at 13:38 British Summer Time 7 May 2022

    St Helens 18-8 Leeds

    St Helens celebrateImage source, Rex Features

    St Helens are Challenge Cup winners again! Leeds put them under real pressure but this Saints side ultimately had too much for them.

    Zoe Hornby's try had the Rhinos in front but those two Eboni Partington tries either side of Jodie Cunningham's score proved decisive.

    How important was that missed penalty from Courtney Winfield-Hill at 8-8?

  12. Postpublished at 79 mins

    St Helens 18-8 Leeds

    Leeds throw everything forward looking for another score but a forward pass hands St Helens a scrum. That will be that.

  13. try

    TRY St Helens 18-8 Leedspublished at 78 mins

    Eboni Partington

    That's the clincher!

    St Helens punched and punched away at the Leeds defence and finally they are through again.

    Lovely hands from Jodie Cunningham and then Amy Hardcastle creates the chance for Eboni Partington, who gathers cleanly and dives over in the corner for her second try.

    Beth Stott's kick goes across the face of the posts but it doesn't matter.

  14. Postpublished at 76 mins

    St Helens 14-8 Leeds

    Time running out for Leeds - and they're at the wrong end of the field.

  15. Postpublished at 73 mins

    St Helens 14-8 Leeds

    Fran Goldthorp darts for the line but is stopped just short. More Leeds pressure.

    Then Georgia Roche can't gather a loose pass and knocks on. St Helens have the ball back.

  16. Postpublished at 72 mins

    St Helens 14-8 Leeds

    The tenacity of Shannon Lacey earns Leeds a scrum and a full set inside the Leeds 20 after she forces Rebecca Rotherham to knock-on.

    Chance for Rhinos.

  17. Postpublished at 71 mins

    St Helens 14-8 Leeds

    There are 5,888 inside Elland Road for this final. According to BBC rugby league correspondent Dave Woods, that's the biggest crowd for the women's game in this country.

    That last Leeds attack came to nothing as Eboni Partington popped up with an interception.

  18. Postpublished at 70 mins

    St Helens 14-8 Leeds

    About 10 minutes ago I asked you who was going to win. The thumbs up for Saints just about has it.

    They're in the box seat now to retain their title.

    But it's Leeds on the attack....

  19. get involved

    Get Involved #bbcrlpublished at 13:25 British Summer Time 7 May 2022

    St Helens 14-8 Leeds

    WHBrigzy: Been a great game so far but Leeds on the wobble this second half, missing that penalty is a game changer even if a try in it and 15 minutes left

    Suzanne: Enjoying the Leeds v Saints women's final. Proper contest. I wish I was 40yrs younger

    Let us know your thoughts using #bbcrl on Twitter.

  20. Postpublished at 68 mins

    St Helens 14-8 Leeds

    What do Leeds have left? They're back on the defensive. St Helens sense the chance to kill this off.