RFL Women's Championship seasons (2017–2023)

Last updated
RFL Women's Championship
seasons 2017–2023

The RFL Women's Championship [1] is the second tier of women's rugby in the British rugby league system sitting below the RFL Women's Super League.

Contents

The competition was founded in 2017, and was a single leagued division with all teams based in Northern England due to geographic distribution of the sport's popularity. However, starting in 2024, in response to the increase in popularity of women's rugby league outside of Northern England, the Championship was expanded to include a Midlands and South group for teams elsewhere in the county, allowing a route to the Super League for all teams. [2] [3] [4] [5]

The following article summarises the results of the competition before its 2024 expansion:

Key

Source [6] [a]
Key

  Promoted to next season's Super League
  Transfer to the 2024 Northern Championship
(C) Champions

2017 season

The 2017 season did not begin until 23 July [8] and as a result of this the teams only played each other once during the competition. Stanningley went unbeaten throughout the 2017 season to finish top of the Championship [9] and defeated Oulton Raidettes 28–10 in the Grand Final. [10]

POSCLUBPWLDPFPADIFFPTS
1Stanningley (C)66002326017212
2Oulton Raidettes6411186761109
3Wigan St Patricks6420190761148
4Leigh Miners Rangers633012098226
5Wakefield Trinity6231110114-45
6Barrow615034282-2482
7Batley Bulldogs606012178-1660

2017 play-offs

Semi-finals Final
      
1 Stanningley 60
4 Leigh Miners Rangers 4
Stanningley 28
Oulton Raidettes 10
2 Oulton Raidettes 12
3 Wigan St Patricks 10

Source: [10] [11]

2018 season

Stanningley repeated their success in 2018 with a 20–12 win over Leigh Miners Rangers. [12] Wakefield Trinity, who finished top of the Championship in 2018, joined the Super League in 2019. [13]

POSCLUBPWLDPFPADIFFPTS
1Stanningley (C)15123043816827024
2Wakefield Trinity14113039012626422
3Oulton Raidettes149503042653917
4Leigh Miners Rangers1587038423614815
5Hull FC14770211252-4114
6Barrow14680255373-11811
7Widnes Vikings144100216420-2048
8Wigan St Patricks14014074432-358-4
Deductions
  • Barrow: 1 point for forfeit
  • Leigh Miners Rangers: 1 point for forfeit
  • Oulton Raidettes: 1 point for forfeit
  • Wigan St Patricks: 4 point for four forfeits

2018 play-offs

Semi-finals Final
      
1 Wakefield Trinity 4
4 Leigh Miners Rangers 8
Stanningley 20
Leigh Miners Rangers 12
2 Stanningley 38
Hull F.C. 12

Source: [12] [14] [b]

2019 season

Warrington Wolves defeated Barrow Island 40–4 in the Grand Final. [17] Warrington and Huddersfield Giants were accepted into the Super League. [18]

POSCLUBPWLDPFPADIFFPTS
1Warrington Wolves (C)1615106489255630
2Barrow1612313252467925
3Stanningley1595133019014019
4Huddersfield Giants15690224328-10412
5Widnes Vikings14581114259-14511
6Leigh Miners Rangers Ladies14392166280-1148
7Oulton Raidettes14392114358-2447
8Hull FC142111160328-1683
Deductions
  • Hull FC: 2 point for two forfeits
  • Oulton Raidettes: 1 point for forfeit

2019 play-offs

Semi-finals Final
      
1 Warrington Wolves 36
4 Huddersfield Giants 4
Warrington Wolves 40
Barrow 4
2 Barrow 14
3 Stanningley 12

Source: [17] [19]

2020 season

Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 season

Leigh Miners Rangers defeated Barrow Raiders 10–6 in the Grand Final. [20] Barrow and Leigh joined the Super League in 2022. [21]

POSCLUBPWLDPFPADIFFDIFF%WP%PTS
1Leigh Miners Rangers Ladies (C)141022292116251.72251.7278.5722
2Barrow Raiders Ladies14941312160195.00195.0067.8619
3Widnes Vikings12741220146150.68150.6862.5015
4Stanningley13661204190107.37107.3750.0013
5Oulton Raidettes1146112817871.9171.9140.919
6Hull FC1037013619868.6968.6930.006
7Halifax Panthers12111010841226.2126.218.332
8Keighley Cougars0000000.000.000.000

2021 play-offs

Semi-finals Final
      
1 Leigh Miners Rangers 36
4 Stanningley 6
Leigh Miners Rangers 10
Barrow Raiders 6
2 Barrow Raiders 16
3 Widnes Vikings 6

Source: [20] [22]

2022 season

Oulton Raidettes defeated Salford Red Devils 33–14 in the Grand Final. [23] Salford replaced Wakefield Trinity in the 2023 Super League. [24]

POSCLUBPWLDPFPADIFFPTS
1Salford Red Devils15141054213640628
2Oulton Raidettes (C)14121140315225125
3Warrington Wolves Lunas15104139022916121
4Stanningley146803342686612
5Hull KR15690310410-10012
6Dewsbury Moor Ladies13490256354-988
7Hull FC142120144416-2724
8Widnes Vikings142120146560-4144

2023 season

Hull KR defeated Oulton Raidettes 30–16 in the Grand Final. [25]

POSCLUBPWLDPFPADIFFPTS
1Hull KR (C)20182068220248036
2Oulton Raidettes20164060424436031
3Dewsbury Moor Ladies19154051222628630
4Stanningley19136054024429626
5Sheffield Eagles18117051229821422
6Hull FC186111298362-6411
7Widnes Vikings184122222468-2468
8Swinton Lionesses184131222550-3287
9Wakefield Trinity18117068932-864-1
10Warrington Wolves Lunas183150242376-134-3
Deductions
  • Wakefield Trinity: 3 points for three forfeits
  • Hull FC: 2 point for two forfeits
  • Oulton Raidettes: 1 point for forfeit
  • Widnes Vikings: 2 point for two forfeits
  • Swinton Lionesses: 2 point for two forfeits
  • Warrington Wolves Lunas: 9 point for nine forfeits

Notes

  1. ↑ League tables on the RFL "Match Centre" include some results from play-off matches. In 2018, for example the table includes the Grand Final (but not semi-finals) meaning Wakefield appear below Stanningley though they finished the regular season above them on points difference. [7]
  2. ↑ It was initially reported that Stanningley would play Oulton Raidettes in the semi-final. It was later confirmed that Stanningley would play Hull F.C. [15] [16]

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References

  1. ↑ "New era for Tier Two of Women's Rugby League". www.rugby-league.com. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  2. ↑ Gordon, James (31 January 2023). "RFL reveal exciting national pyramid for growing women's game". loverugbyleague.com. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  3. ↑ Cook, Sam (January 31, 2023). "Women's rugby league set for exciting changes with reshuffle to create pyramid for 2024". Rugby League News.
  4. ↑ Ibbetson, Stephen (February 5, 2023). "RFL take national view in restructure of women's leagues from 2024".
  5. ↑ Walker, Callum (January 31, 2023). "RFL reveals groundbreaking new structure for Women's Super League and lower tiers".
  6. ↑ "Match Centre".
  7. ↑ "Preview | Women's Championship Grand Final". www.rugby-league.com. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  8. ↑ "Tigers and Bulls win as Women's RL Super League gets underway". 4 The Love Of Sport. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  9. ↑ "Stanningley thwart Trinity's play off hopes". 4 The Love of Sport. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  10. 1 2 "HIGHLIGHTS | Stanningley v Oulton Raidettes". www.rugby-league.com. 8 October 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  11. ↑ "Women's Rugby League round up 1 October". 4 The Love of Sport. 1 October 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  12. 1 2 "Highlights | Stanningley win Women's Championship Grand Final". www.rugby-league.com. 14 October 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  13. ↑ "Wakefield Trinity join 2019 Women's Super League". www.rugby-league.com. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  14. ↑ "Rhinos and Warriors reach Women's Super League Grand Final". www.rugby-league.com. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  15. ↑ "Leeds Rhinos win League Leaders' Shield as semi-finals confirmed". www.rugby-league.com. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  16. ↑ "Women's Super League semi-final to be shown live on Our League". www.rugby-league.com. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  17. 1 2 "Warrington and Keighley triumph on Women's Finals Day". www.rugby-league.com. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  18. ↑ "Giants and Wolves to join Betfred Women's Super League in 2020". www.rugby-league.com. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  19. ↑ "Another late Leeds show sets up Challenge Cup Final rematch". RFL. 6 October 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  20. 1 2 "Leigh Miners win Women's Championship Grand Final". www.rugby-league.com. 4 October 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  21. ↑ "Betfred Women's Super League to expand again in 2022". www.rugby-league.com. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  22. ↑ "Women's Rugby League Results". 4 The Love Of Sport. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  23. ↑ "Grand Final Success for Sheffield Eagles and Oulton Raidettes". www.rugby-league.com. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  24. ↑ "Salford Red Devils and Leigh Leopards to join BWSL in 2023". www.rugby-league.com. 23 October 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  25. ↑ "Hull KR star Carla Nolan reflects on historic Women's treble and Super League aim". Hull Daily Mail. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
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