Whitehaven-born Gregg McNally – who returned to his hometown club in the off-season - notched a late try and drop-goal to ensure the Cumbrian outfit progressed to the Second Round of the Betfred Challenge Cup.
Haven and fellow Betfred Championship side Dewsbury Rams played out a back-and-forth affair at the Recreation Ground, live on Our League, with the Gary Charlton’s men playing 45 minutes with 12 men.
Frazer Morris opened the scoring as he hit a clever short ball from experienced Rams halfback Liam Finn.
However, the hosts found themselves in front midway through the first half as Lachlan Walmsley stole a try out wide following a Dewsbury error before Chris Taylor also went over. The sides eventually went into the half-time break level thanks to a 36th minute Adam Ryder effort.
The game continued in a similar vein after the interval despite Whitehaven going down to 12 men with Brett Phillips being sent from the field just before half-time. Mark Shackley putting the hosts ahead before Dewsbury hit back once again through Matthew Fleming.
With 12 minutes remaining a smart offload back to the blind-side allowed McNally to leap into the corner and restore the Cumbrian’s lead. McNally added a drop-goal minutes later to seal a Second-Round berth.
The afternoon began with a hard-hitting affair between Oldham and Barrow Raiders at Bower Fold with the Roughyeds earning a 20-6 victory.
Lewis Charnock scored Oldham’s opening effort before prolific back-rower Danny Langtree produced a spectacular bit of skill to claim a kick with one hand and score despite the best efforts of the Raiders defenders.
Ryan Shaw scored an eye-catching breakaway try on the stroke of half-time to give Barrow hope, but a second half try from Tommy Brierley was enough to see the Lancashire side into the Second Round.
London Broncos managed to overcome a resilient Keighley Cougars outfit at Rosslyn Park and set up a tie with York City Knights in Round Two.
Gideon Boafo got the scoreboard ticking with a sensational finish in the corner after just two minutes. The Broncos followed up with tries from Jacob Jones, Sam Davis and Romain Navarrete and three Chris Hankinson conversions to open up a 22-0 lead.
Jamaican winger Mo Agoro and forward Brendan Santi scored for the Cougars in the closing stages, but both were merely consolations for Rhys Lovegrove’s men.
Batley Bulldogs secured their place in the Round Two with a 6-18 defeat of Halifax Panthers at The Shay.
Jack Logan scored a brilliant solo try on his debut for the Bulldogs while Jodie Broughton crossed against his former club and Ben Kaye also powered over. Tom Gilmore’s drop-goal put the icing on the cake in the dying embers. Matt Garside notched Halifax’s solitary try.
Saturday’s Betfred Challenge Cup Results:
Oldham RLFC 20-6 Barrow Raiders
London Broncos 24-10 Keighley Cougars
Whitehaven RLFC 23-16 Dewsbury Rams
Halifax Panthers 6-19 Batley Bulldogs
Sunday’s Betfred Challenge Cup Fixtures:
West Wales Raiders v Widnes Vikings (12:45pm) – live on BBC Sport
Featherstone Rovers v Bradford Bulls (3pm) – live on BBC Sport
Swinton Lions v Newcastle Thunder (5:15pm) – live on Our League
Betfred Challenge Cup Round Two As It Stands:
Swinton Lions OR Newcastle Thunder v Oldham
Featherstone Rovers OR Bradford Bulls v Batley Bulldogs
London Broncos v York City Knights
West Wales Raiders OR Widnes Vikings v Whitehaven
