For the first time in seven years, DONCASTER is returning to the Challenge Cup semifinals.
On Saturday, May 18, the city of South Yorkshire will host a doubleheader of the men’s and women’s Challenge Cup draws.
In the women’s competition, St Helens takes on York at 11.15 a.m., and in the men’s competition, Wigan takes on Hull KR at 1.45 p.m.
The Eco-Power Stadium (formerly Keepmoat Stadium) has hosted semi-final matches for the fifth time; the previous four times were Hull FC’s victories over Wakefield, Wigan, and Leeds in 2008, 2016, and 2017, and Leeds’ triumph over Castleford in 2011.
CEO of Doncaster Carl Hall stated, “I’m really proud to play my part in bringing these major sporting events to our city.”
These matches are a rematch of last season’s semifinals, which were both decided by a single point.
With 30 seconds left at Leigh Sports Village, a field goal by Faye Gaskin helped St Helens defeat York 17–16. Meanwhile, Brad Schneider of Hull KR defeated Wigan at Headingley with a one-point shot in golden-point extra time.
After that, the Warriors went on a 16-game winning streak and won three trophies. However, winger Liam Marshall, who scored the game-winning try against Huddersfield in the 2022 final at Tottenham, isn’t considering this matchup as a rematch.
“The fact that we lost in the circumstances that we did, the drop-goal in golden-point, will probably be the subject of a lot of discussion,” he stated.
“We might not grasp at that, but there might be something to feed into there.
“This is a different game. A whole new season has arrived, along with fresh opponents and players. It’s an entirely different type of tie. This year, hopefully, we can do even better.
In the inaugural Women’s Challenge Cup final held at Wembley last year, Saints triumphed over Leeds.
Assemble “Knowing it was at Wembley, that was everyone’s goal for that year to make it, and we achieved that goal,” Chantelle Crowl stated.
“We will always remember what it was like to win, to feel that rush afterward, to have all our families present, and to lift that Challenge Cup together as a team.
“It will be incredible whenever you visit Wembley, but it won’t be as crazy as it was last year.
It’s an incredible experience to play in that stadium. It will still create the most excitement for us if we can get back to that point.
The second doubleheader is scheduled for Sunday, May 19, at Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens.
Warrington’s next matchup is with Huddersfield (3.15pm), the site of their men’s quarterfinal loss to Saints. The women’s matchup is with Leeds (12.30pm), a rematch from the previous season when the Rhinos prevailed at home.
The men’s games will air on television, while the women’s matches will be available on iPlayer. All four matches will be televised by the BBC.
The Challenge Cup finals will take place on Saturday, June 8 at Wembley. The 1895 Cup final will also be held there; on Sunday, May 12, the semi-finals will take place, with Bradford hosting Wakefield and York hosting Sheffield.
