St Helens Women's Challenge Cup hopes face tough York test

The sides have met at the same stage of this competition for the past two seasons – and to intensify the rivalry still further Valkyrie won the last encounter between the sides with an 18-8 Grand Final win at TWS last year.

Saints have something of a new look side, on and off the field, but one thing remains – a resolute determination to keep hold of the Challenge Cup that have won four times in succession.

Having coasted through the group stages and the quarters with wins over Warrington, Cardiff and London – suddenly it goes up a notch with a place at rugby league’s big day out at the national stadium being the carrot that is dangling before their eyes.

Playing York at this stage of the comp stirs the memories of club skipper Jodie Cunningham – and she is relishing it.

She said: “It is obviously a game we've had for the last two years at this point - last year was a little bit more comfortable for us but the year before was one of the most tense games I've ever played in my life.

“If I go back to pick the most memorable game I've played in then it is probably that one.

“That's probably the one I could talk you through point by point because it was so intense.

“It was so one way and then the other and I had a nightmare when I threw an interception that led to a York try which could have cost us.

“I think back to that game every time I play York.”

Saints Women have had a tight grip on the trophy since lifting it at Leigh Sports Village in 2021, with the last two coming over Leeds at Wembley.

There is no sign of that hunger for more abating – the opposite in fact, which Cunningham explains.

“I just can't imagine letting go of the Challenge Cup - I just don't want to,” she said.

“It feels like it's our competition. It brings out the best in us and hopefully that carries on this year because doing five in a row is impressive.

 “With the level of talent, particularly in Leeds and York and now Wigan, to retain the trophy for that long is impressive – so we desperately want to get to Wembley and do it again.

“We particularly want to do that for the likes of Amy Hardcastle, who has been on losing side with Leeds against us the last two times at Wembley.

“We want to do it for players like them because the club has done it, but this current group as a collective has not done it. We want to do that together and build our own memories.”

Saints Women v York Valkyrie kicks off at 1.45pm at the Totally Wicked Stadium as part of the double header with the Leigh Leopards and Warrington Wolves men’s semi final .