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Girls flying the flag in Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Quarter Finals
History will be made in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Quarter Finals this weekend when each of Sunday’s three ties has an all-woman touch judge team.
Mia Stockton and Niamh Bragg have been appointed for the tie between Wigan Warriors and Huddersfield Giants at Robin Park which will be shown live on The Sportsman from 11:30am – with Freddie Lincoln as referee.
Rebecca Floyd and Esmai Wright will team up for the St Helens versus Warrington Wolves tie which kicks off at the Totally Wicked Stadium at 12:30pm, with Jordan Hughes as referee.
And Beth Neilson and Megan Mills will be on duty for York Valkyrie’s Quarter Final against Cardiff Demons at the LNER Community Stadium, with Carl Hughes the referee.
Matty Clayton will referee the first of the Women’s Quarter Finals on Saturday at Headingley, where Leeds Rhinos take on Leigh Leopards – with Aidan Rhodes and Oliver Bragg as touch judges.
“This is another example of the development of young female match officials in the sport, and of women’s growing influence on all areas of Rugby League,” said Dave Elliott, the RFL’s acting head of match officials.
“We were delighted to appoint an all-girls officiating team for the Champion Schools Final in Newcastle at Magic Weekend, and a number of those officials have also been appointed to the Challenge Cup Quarter Finals this weekend.”
They are following in the footsteps of two members of the England Women squad, Caitlin Beevers and Tara Jones, who have combined their playing careers with match-officiating for a number of years.
Beevers has been ruled out for several weeks since suffering a shoulder injury playing for Leeds Rhinos in April, but Jones has continued to impress as a regular touch judge in the men’s professional game – although she is unavailable for any appointments this weekend as she will be playing for St Helens as they continue their Women’s Challenge Cup defence at home to Warrington.
The appointments for the Men’s Quarter Finals have also been confirmed.
Ben Thaler will referee Saturday’s tie between Hull KR and Salford Red Devils, with Cameron Worsley and Johnny Roberts as touch judges, and Liam Moore as the video referee.
A couple of hours later on the other side of the city, Chris Kendall will referee the tie between Hull FC and St Helens, with Marcus Griffiths and Warren Turley as touch judges, and Tom Grant as the video referee.
Liam Moore will referee Sunday’s tie between Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves, with Richard Thompson and Mark Craven as touch judges, and Thaler the video referee.
Jack Smith will referee the tie between York Knights and Leigh Leopards, with Dean Bowmer and Andy Smith as touch judges, and Griffiths the video referee.
Image: Megan Mills from Hull, who refereed the inspiresport Champion Schools Final in Newcastle at Magic, is pictured with several other officials who will be in action in the Women’s Challenge Cup Quarter Finals this weekend
