St Helens and England star Tara Jones made history last year when she scored the opening try in the first Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final to be played at Wembley Stadium – and she could continue her trailblazing path should Saints go on to win a fourth successive title on Saturday (8 June).
Jones is one of five Saints players who have featured in their three previous triumphs and the 28-year-old is determined to go again this year.
“It’s phenomenal and we really pride ourselves on that accolade,” said Tara. “Last year we were speaking about three in a row and now we’re knocking on the door for four and we want to go and complete that and retain it – you never want anyone to take it from you.
“Retaining the Challenge Cup is something that we spoke about as a team at the beginning of the season. We want to keep it on our turf – the occasion is brilliant but ultimately, we want to win.”
As well as a full-time job and her place within Matty Smith’s squad, Jones also became the first woman to referee a men’s professional Northern Hemisphere Rugby League game earlier this year.
“I have to remind myself to stay in the moment and enjoy everything as it comes at the moment,” she admitted. “Scoring the first try at Wembley and my recent refereeing appointments have been amazing. People have said to me can I go one further this year and score a hat-trick!
“As much as those individual achievements are great, ultimately as long as we go out there on Saturday and get the job done as a team that’s what will win us the game.”
Saturday’s opponents Leeds Rhinos and St Helens have already met once this season in the Betfred Women’s Super League, with Faye Gaskin scoring all the points to give Saints a 12-6 victory. And reach the Women’s Challenge Cup Final this time around, Saints had to overcome York Valkyrie in emphatic fashion, 32-2 in the their Doncaster semi-final.
Jones knows it’s going to be a tough test on Saturday against an equally as determined Rhinos outfit:
“We’ve played Leeds already this season and obviously we came out on top, but we need to make sure that we play the rugby we know we can and remain clinical because ultimately that’s what wins us games.
“We know what they can bring, they’re a tough physical side that can grind a result out. They’re always in the game and they never give up so it’s about us putting in an 80-minute performance.”
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