Underbank Rangers kicked off the 2019 Coral Challenge Cup with a 30-12 win at Orrell St James,live on the Our League app.
A hat-trick from Rangers centre Alex Chatterton helped the National Conference League Premier Division side through to the second round draw, where they will join 25 other winners of ties taking place this weekend.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great win today for the <a href="https://twitter.com/UnderbankRL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UnderbankRL</a> boys. 12-30 against a well drilled <a href="https://twitter.com/OSJopenage?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OSJopenage</a> team. Good to get over for a hat trick 💪🽠In the hat for round two 🎩</p>— Alex Chatterton (@AlexChatterton) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexChatterton/status/1089210511705686018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The draw will take place at Wigan St Pats’ Clarington Park after they beat Leigh East24-12 in a local derby, earning the right to host the BBC Sport cameras on Monday night where Micky Higham and George Williams will perform the draw at 6pm.
Jake Connor’s Ovenden side managed a narrow 22-20 victory over NCL Division Three side Woolston Roversin a closely-fought clash in Halifax. Pennine League side Ovenden, who are the only ‘winter league’ team in this year’s tournament, showed their sharpness to topple the Warrington-based side who play a couple of tiers higher.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's all the results from today's <a href="https://twitter.com/Coral?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coral</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChallengeCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChallengeCup</a> First Round action ðŸ†<br><br>Who impressed you this afternoon? â¤µï¸ <a href="https://t.co/HqRhrI0mAo">pic.twitter.com/HqRhrI0mAo</a></p>— The Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChallengeCup/status/1089204866621366272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
There was less fortune for Connor’s Hull FC team-mate Scott Taylor, as his Beverley side suffered a 42-4 defeat at York Acorn.
Last year’s NCL Premier Division champions Hunslet Club Parkside, who are coached by Castleford Tigers’ Paul McShane, went down to a 16-30 defeat in South Leeds to Dewsbury’s Thornhil Trojans, who earned promotion to the Premier last season after winning Division One.
Cup-run experts Haydock, who became the lowest-ranked side to ever reach Round Four in 2017, are also through to Round Two thanks to a 28-18 win over NCL Division Two side Shaw Cross Sharks.
It was a nail-biting finish at Wigan St Judes’ Keats Avenue, as the hosts earned a second round spot thanks to a 15-14 win over Warrington-based Crosfields.
There was disappointment for the British Forces sides, with The Armysuffering an 18-16 defeat to Doncaster-based Challenge Cup debutants Bentley, whilst Royal Navybowed out in Portsmouth after a 12-42 defeat to West Hull. Royal Air Force take on debutants North Herts Crusaders, in one of Sunday’s final three First Round games.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Can’t wait for Rugby League to be back on TV? Well the wait is over, live coverage of @MillomRLFC1875 v <a href="https://twitter.com/RedStarRL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RedStarRL</a> is live on <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCSport</a> at 13:30 this Sunday afternoon. Include <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbcrl?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bbcrl</a> to get your tweets read by <a href="https://twitter.com/DaveWoodsSport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DaveWoodsSport</a></p>— Mike Bushell (@mikebreakfast) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikebreakfast/status/1089133620357447681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Attention will be drawn on Sunday to the focus match in South Cumbria, as Millom face Serbian debutants Red Star Belgrade live on BBC Sport.
In a historic tie that only the Challenge Cup could throw up, the worlds’ oldest amateur side Millom are seeking to join fellow Cumbrians Distington in the next round, as they go up against their Eastern European visitors in a unique clash.
