A LATE controversial no-try decision saw York City Knights Ladies edged out 28-26 by Leeds Rhinos in their Betfred Women's Challenge Cup semi-final.
York trailed by just two points heading into the final five minutes and appeared to have snatched a winning try through Tamzin Renouf, who barged over the top of Tara Moxon on the try-line.
However referee John McMullen adjudged Georgie Hetherington's assist as forward, with slow-motion replays showing the call to be marginal at best.
Ultimately Courtney Winfield-Hill's 70th-minute penalty - one of four goals from six attempts - proved to be the difference between the two sides although Leeds' success was primarily built in a late-first half burst.
Three tries in the space of seven minutes from Chloe Kerrigan, Alex Barnes and Hanna Butcher showed the quality of former Super League champions and twice Cup winners Leeds.
York had made the dream start through a fine solo try from Tara Stanley, who also scored five goals from as many attempts, after a minute and a Grace Field barge over to lead 12-4, with Kerrigan scoring her first effort in-between.
Co-captain Sinead Peach and Jasmine Bell crossed for the Knights in the second half, with Tasha Gaines getting over the whitewash for Leeds, but Winfield-Hill's goal proved the difference.
League and cup holders St Helens, who beat Featherstone Rovers 82-0 in the other semi-final in the double header at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium, will face Leeds in the Elland Road final on Saturday, May 7 (1pm).
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