Denis Betts greets Wigan as “coach dream” as the question of St Helens “disrespectful” narrative cup | Rugby League news
A secular rivalry was on Wembley’s largest scene, but after being the holders of the Women’s Challenge Cup for four years in a row, St Helens fell for a difficult defeat in Wigan.
It was a clinical performance of the Warriors to do the work, tries Megan Williams, Mary Coleman, Isabel Rowe, Eva Hunter, Grace Banks, Anna Davies and Emily Veivers ending domination.
The victory won the first triumph of the Wigan Défi Cup, which means that the saints must abandon the trophy after 1,463 days with it within their reach.
The question that went in the contest, with Wigan the team to beat in the female Super League so far this season, how could the saints stop their rivals?
While the saint coach, coach Derek Hardman, paid tribute to Wigan’s performance, he stressed that his own side would remain unusual by the rise of their rivals and struck the “disrespectful” pre-match angle since his team entered the competition as holders.
“What we have accomplished is massive and we do not pursue anyone,” said Hardman, who deplored the incapacity of his team to rely on their lonely test at the start of the second half.
“If they (Wigan) continue to achieve what we have achieved, they will deserve the distinctions, but I think some of the questions about how we are going to stop Wigan are disrespectful.
“Let’s see what the rest of the year brings, but we are certainly ready to fight.”
For Wigan, however, it was a jubilant day, with their head coach Denis Betts praising the two years of hard work from his team that brought them to this point.
“I’m very proud,” said Betts.
“When we started last year, everyone could see that there were really talented players in the group and we just had to point in the right direction. Seeing them buying it today is the dream of a coach.”
What is the next step?
Week 14 of the Super League season begins on Friday, June 13, with Hull Kr organizing Catalan dragons on Sky Sports Action (8 p.m.) and Hull FC against Castleford Tigers on Sky Sports + (20h).
Sky Sports will again show each Live Super League match this season – including two games every round exclusively, with the four remaining games each week shown on Sky Sports + via the Red button
