Our Women’s team have secured a spot in the playoffs.
After 16 rounds of fixtures, the girls have concluded the regular campaign with ten wins and twenty points – amassing a points difference of +144.
Despite a fourth place finish in 2023, a complete restructure of the women’s game saw the Red Devils drop out of the Betfred Super League 2 and into the Championship.
A new-look team – under the guidance of Head Coach, Mike Grady – has attacked a tricky set of fixtures head-on and produced some memorable results along the way.
One that stands out is an emphatic 0-90 victory at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle over Castleford Tigers, where star halfback, Michelle Davis bagged five tries.
Other notable wins came away at Hull KR and – crucially – at home to this weekend’s opposition, Sheffield Eagles, where we came out 26-6 victors in mid-August.
In the other side of the playoff draw, league leaders, Leigh Leopards will host Oulton Raidettes.
Even if the Reds reach and win their Playoff Grand Final, they will still have two more tests to pass if they were to regain a spot in the Women’s Super League for 2025.
The winner of the Championship’s Playoff Final will take on London Broncos, who became back-to-back Women’s South Champions on Saturday with their 8-28 win away at Cardiff Demons.
Should the Reds progress past that challenge, they will then have to face the bottom placed team in Super League for a spot in 2025’s competition.
On the season so far and our qualification for playoffs, Head Coach, Mike Grady has said: “I am really pleased to have secured the playoffs this season.
“It has been a completely new squad with a lot playing rugby league for the first time, so to achieve what we have has been fantastic.
“There has been plenty of challenges we have faced as a group during the season, but we have always faced them head on and come out the other side.
“I think the potential in this group is huge, and it’s an exciting prospect going forward.
“Sunday will be a massive test, the biggest of the season so far, it’s play off rugby and no second chances, we have to be at our best and give it everything we have got.
“I have everything faith in this group and cannot wait for the weekend!”
For anyone wishing to attend this weekend’s fixture and support the girls, it will be taking place at Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park, Bawtry Road, Sheffield, S9 1UA – with a 2pm kick-off.
Wishing the girls all the best as their playoff adventure gets underway.
PLAYOFF STRUCTURE
Playoff Semi-Final 1: Leigh Leopards (1st) vs Oulton Raidettes (4th)
Playoff Semi-Final 2: Sheffield Eagles (2nd) vs Salford Red Devils (3rd)
Playoff Final: Winner of Semi-Final 1 vs Winner of Semi-Final 2
North vs South Playoff Final: Winner of Playoff Final vs London Broncos
Playoff against bottom of Super League: Winner of North vs South Playoff Final vs Bottom of Women’s Super League
