Women’s Challenge Cup: Final four all eye Wembley showpiece event

Leeds were the supporting cast of a remarkable encounter with the Saints in 2023, but as with all finals someone had to lose and it was Lois Forsell’s side that took it on the chin.

While Beevers’ score ensured she would remain on the highlights for years to come, it was another moment of disappointment for Leeds who also lost the 2022 final to the same opponents.

Getting to the big events has been a regular occurrence for the club, having graced four of the past five Challenge Cup deciders.

Bringing in star quality such as Shona Hoyle has only added to Leeds’ potent mix as they prepare for a repeat of last year’s semi-final.

“It’d mean everything [to get back again],” Forsell told BBC Radio Leeds. “It’s about focusing on each week as it comes.

“We’ve been good at having players who enjoy performing together and playing together and that what we’ll be looking at going into this weekend.”

Wigan Warriors’ emergence has coincided with a talented crop of young talent, such as electric full-back Grace Banks and half-back Emma Knowles, alongside experienced internationals such as Vicky Molyneux and Rachael Thompson.

The appointment of Wigan legend Denis Betts as head coach and investment in infrastructure and personnel is a sign that the Cherry and Whites want to mount the same challenge as the all-conquering men’s side have done.

“These big games were new to us last year, the opportunity to play at Wembley was new and exciting and we probably overplayed that a little bit,” Thompson told the club website.

“We realise we have to take every game as it comes but we also have to perform and if we don’t perform we won’t make it to those big stages.

“These aren’t things that we get to do every week so we have got to enjoy it. It’s 80 minutes from Wembley but you have to pack that to the back of your mind and focus on the task in front of us first.”

While development is ongoing in the Super League in terms of helping teams to all reach similar standards, these semi-finals represent the best of the thriving women’s game.

The shape of things hopefully to come.