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2024 RFL Women's Championship

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2024 RFL Women's Championship
Teams
  • 9 (Northern)
  • 4 (Midlands)
  • 4 (Southern)
2025 →

The 2024 RFL Women's Championship (also known as the Betfred Women's Championship for sponsorship reasons) was the eighth season of the RFL Women's Championship and the first of its restructure and expansion to include teams from across the country.

The competition was split into three regional leagues: Northern, Midlands, and Southern. The winners of the Northern and Southern Championship faced each other for the National Championship title and the winner of this match entered a promotion play-off on 6 October with the last placed team of the 2024 RFL Women's Super League for a place in the 2025 Super League.[1][2]

The Northern Championship was won by Leigh Leopards and the Southern Championship was won by London Broncos. Leigh defeated London in the National Championship Final and then won against Featherstone Rovers in the promotion play-off.

The Midlands Championship was jointly awarded to Leamington Royals and Nottingham Outlaws.

Teams

[edit]

In January 2024, the RFL confirmed the nine clubs in the Northern Championship and four of the clubs in Southern Championship.[3] The teams in the Midlands Championship were announced in May.[4]

Northern Midlands Southern

Northern Championship

[edit]

The 2024 RFL Northern Women's Championship began on 2 March and concluded on 22 September, and comprised 18 regular season matchweeks and playoffs.[3][5]

Table

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1  Leigh Leopards (L) 16 16 0 0 808 64 +744 32 Advance to semi-finals
2  Sheffield Eagles 16 12 1 3 453 237 +216 25
3  Salford Red Devils 16 10 0 6 392 248 +144 20
4  Oulton Raidettes 16 10 0 6 430 296 +134 20
5  Dewsbury Moor 16 8 1 7 388 254 +134 17
6  Hull Kingston Rovers 16 7 0 9 298 424 −126 14
7  Bradford Bulls 16 3 0 13 182 518 −336 6
8  Stanningley 16 2 1 13 208 464 −256 5
9  Castleford Tigers 16 2 1 13 83 737 −654 5
Source: [6]
(L) League Leaders' Shield Winners

Results

[edit]
Home \ Away LEI SHE SAL OUL DEW HKR BRA STA CAS
Leigh Leopards  — 42–14
14 Apr 		40–0
10 Mar 		46–8
23 Jun 		48–4
21 Apr 		52–8
12 May 		60–0
31 Aug 		70–6
16 Jun 		96–4
4 Aug
Sheffield Eagles  6–30
14 Jul 		— 40–20
19 May 		26–16
11 Aug 		24–6
8 Sep 		56–8
7 Jul 		38–0
21 Apr 		36–6
28 Apr 		32–0
23 Jun
Salford Red Devils  4–44
7 Jul 		26–6
18 Aug 		— 16–14
28 Apr 		14–12
2 Jun 		4–16
2 Mar 		44–4
14 Apr 		48–4
21 Jul 		48–0
8 Sep
Oulton Raidettes  6–26
3 Mar 		32–46
12 May 		30–14
4 Aug 		— 18–16
18 Aug 		30–10
8 Sep 		42–18
7 Jul 		30–12
14 Apr 		42–8
2 Jun
Dewsbury Moor  0–26
21 Jul 		20–30
16 Jun 		8–0
1 Sep 		40–14
19 May 		— 16–24
14 Apr 		24–10
28 Apr 		20–20
17 Mar 		48–4
7 Jul
Hull Kingston Rovers  4–58
11 Aug 		20–28
30 Jun[a] 		22–24
23 Jun 		0–28
16 Jun 		0–56
14 Jul 		— 32–8
19 May 		20–12
1 Sep 		70–8
21 Apr
Bradford Bulls  0–62
2 Jun 		10–46
21 Jul 		0–18
14 Jul 		8–22
10 Mar 		6–52
4 Aug 		10–24
18 Aug 		— 20–14
23 Jun 		54–4
12 May
Stanningley  0–24
8 Sep 		0–18
4 Aug 		8–20
21 Apr 		4–62
14 Jul 		16–24
12 May 		12–26
2 Jun 		22–28
3 Mar 		— 30–12
24 Mar
Castleford Tigers  0–84
28 Apr 		C–C
3 Mar[b] 		0–92
16 Jun 		6–36
1 Sep 		0–42
10 Mar 		16–14
21 Jul 		14–6
11 Aug 		6–42
19 May 		—
Source: [6]
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:
  1. ^ originally scheduled for 8 March but postponed due to waterlogged pitch[7]
  2. ^ scheduled for 3 March but cancelled due to waterlogged pitch[8] – result given as a draw

Southern Championship

[edit]

The restructuring of the national pyramid meant that the Super League South was replaced by the Southern Championship with four of the six of clubs from the 2023 Super League South continuing in the new competition format.[3] The two other teams took part in the tier 3 competitions sitting directly below the Southern Championship: Thurrock combined with North Herts Crusaders to compete in the Southern East League 1, and the Bristol Golden Ferns were part of the Southern West League 1.[9] The Southern Championship started on 25 May[3] and concluded on 7 September with the Grand Final played at Cardiff University playing fields.[10]

Table and results

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts CAR LON ARM BED
1  Cardiff Demons 6 5 0 1 246 66 +180 10 — 22–0 52–6 72–8
2  London Broncos 6 5 0 1 218 50 +168 10 18–14 — 48–8 48–0
3  Army 6 2 0 4 150 202 −52 4 34–38 6–36 — 48–0[a]
4  Bedford Tigers 6 0 0 6 36 332 −296 −1[b] 0–48 0–68 28–48 —
Source: [6][11]
Notes:
  1. ^ Match forfeited
  2. ^ Bedford deducted 1 point: forfeited fixture (Army v Bedford: 20 July)

Midlands Championship

[edit]

The 2024 Midlands Championship was played using a festival format and because of this the teams were ineligible for the National Championship Final.[3] The competition saw a soft launch in 2023 and was played between Cheltenham Phoenix, Coventry Bears, Leamington Royals, and Telford Raiders.[12] Nottingham Outlaws replaced Cheltenham in the schedule for the 2024 competition which began on 1 June and in which teams played two games on each of the three fixture days, followed by a finals day on 4 August.[4][13] The final between Nottingham and Lemington was abandoned due to a significant player injury. Both teams were awarded the title.[14]

Play-offs

[edit]

In the Southern play-offs, London Broncos advanced to the Grand Final as the Army forfeited their semi-final match.[15] The Southern Grand Final was played on 7 September at Cardiff University Playing Fields. In a repeat of the 2023 Super League South competition, London Broncos faced Cardiff Demons in the final and defeated them 28–8 to win the competition.[10][16][17]

The Northern Championship semi-finals were played on 15 September.[2] Leigh Leopards, who won the League Leaders' Shield, advanced to the final after fourth-placed Oulton Raidettes forfeited their semi-final match. They were joined by second-placed Sheffield Eagles who defeated third-placed Salford Red Devils.[10][18][19] The Northern Championship Grand Final was played on 22 September.[5] Leigh Leopards won 46–6 against Sheffield Eagles to claim the division title and advance to the National Championship match.[20]

The National Championship Final was played on 29 September by the winners of the Northern and Southern Championship.[5] Leigh Leopards defeated London Broncos 22–18 to win the title.[21]

The promotion play-off match was contested by the winner of the Championship Grand Final and the last placed team of the 2024 RFL Women's Super League, and took place on 6 October as a double-header with the Grand Final of the Super League.[5][22][23] Leigh Leopards defeated Featherstone Rovers 34–16 to earn promotion to the Super League.[24]

Team bracket

[edit]
Northern semi-finalsNorthern Grand FinalNational Championship FinalPromotion/Relegation play-off
N1Leigh Leopards48
N4Oulton Raidettes0
N1Leigh Leopards46
N2Sheffield Eagles6
N2Sheffield Eagles20
SLFeatherstone Rovers16
N3Salford Red Devils6
N1Leigh Leopards22N1Leigh Leopards34
S2London Broncos18
Southern semi-finalsSouthern Grand Final
S1Cardiff Demons8
S2London Broncos48S2London Broncos28
S3Army0

Southern play-offs

[edit]
Southern Championship: Semi-finals
Home Score Away Match Information
Date Venue
London Broncos 48–0[a] Army 18 August Rosslyn Park
Cardiff Demons – Bye — —
Source:[6][15]
  1. ^ Match forfeited
Southern Championship: Grand Final
Home Score Away Match Information
Date Venue
Cardiff Demons 08–28 London Broncos 7 September Cardiff University Playing Fields
Source:[6][17]

Northern play-offs

[edit]
Northern Championship: Semi-finals
Home Score Away Match Information
Date Venue
Leigh Leopards 48–0[a] Oulton Raidettes 15 September Twist Lane
Sheffield Eagles 20–60 Salford Red Devils 15 September Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park
Source:[6][19]
  1. ^ Match forfeited
Northern Championship: Grand Final
Home Score Away Match Information
Date Venue
Leigh Leopards 46–60 Sheffield Eagles 22 September Twist Lane
Source:[6][20]

National Championship Final

[edit]
National Championship Final
Northern Score Southern Match Information
Date Venue
Leigh Leopards 22–18 London Broncos 29 September Alexander Stadium, Birmingham[16]
Source:[21]

Promotion play-off match

[edit]
Promotion Play-off Match
Super League Score Championship Match Information
Date Venue
Featherstone Rovers 16–34 Leigh Leopards 6 October Totally Wicked Stadium
Source:[24]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Betfred Women's Super League 2024 fixtures confirmed". www.therhinos.co.uk. Leeds Rhinos. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b "2024 Women's North Championship fixtures announced". Sheffield Eagles. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e "New era for Tier Two of Women's Rugby League". www.rugby-league.com. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Fixtures announced for the Women's Midlands Championship". Telford Raiders. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d "Northen [sic] Women's Championship kicks off this weekend". www.rugby-league.com. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Match Centre".
  7. ^ "Women's Squad named for York Valkyrie". Sheffield Eagles. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Women Squad named for Hull KR season opener". Sheffield Eagles. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Women's Rugby League continues to thrive in the Midlands and South". www.rugby-league.com. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  10. ^ a b c "London Broncos and St Helens seal title triumphs". www.rugby-league.com. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  11. ^ "Fixtures and Results". London Broncos. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  12. ^ "New second tier competitions fuel expansion of Women's Super League". Betfred Women's Super League Grand Final 2023: Official Programme (PDF). p. 34. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Women's Rugby League continues to thrive in the Midlands and South". www.rugby-league.com. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  14. ^ Leamington Royals Ladies Rugby League (4 August 2024). "Rugby league family the winner today". Facebook.
  15. ^ a b "New captain but same expectations as Army women aim for 15th consecutive Inter Services title". Forces News. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Cardiff Demons to take on London Broncos in the Southern Women's Championship Grand Final this Saturday". www.rugby-league.com. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  17. ^ a b "2024 RFL Women's Championship South Final". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  18. ^ "Women's News". Leigh Leopards. 12 September 2024 – via X.
  19. ^ a b "Women". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3448. 16 September 2024. p. 24.
  20. ^ a b "Women". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3449. 23 September 2024. p. 31.
  21. ^ a b "Leigh Leopards continue their undefeated run and claim National Championship glory". RFL. 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  22. ^ "2024 Women's North Championship fixtures announced". Sheffield Eagles. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  23. ^ "First-ever National Championship Final to be played at Alexander Stadium". www.rugby-league.com. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Leigh look forward to life at the top". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3451. 7 October 2024. p. 22.
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