There was no sign of a surprise result in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup first round feature game as NCL Premier side Rochdale Mayfield defeated Division Two club Crosfields 28-0, live on BBC Sport.
Mayfield fullback Matty Ashton was on the scoresheet in an impressive performance which earned him Man of the Match, just days before heading to Australia to continue his rugby league journey.
On his final game before heading to Australia, @Mayfieldrl’s Matty Ashton wins @Ladbrokes #ChallengeCup Man of the Match 👠pic.twitter.com/olUIg2gbyv
— The Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) January 27, 2018
Aidan Gleeson, Liam Wahiley, Cole Connolly and Dec Sheridan were also on the scoresheet for the hosts.
Rochdale coach Matt Calland, a two-time Challenge Cup finalist with Bradford Bulls, was satisfied with his team’s performance saying: “All in all I was happy that we nilled them, considering the amount of penalties we game away.”
SCENES in the sheds ðŸ˜ðŸ™Œ@Mayfieldrl enjoyed their @Ladbrokes #ChallengeCup first round win pic.twitter.com/0XKBIGoR6P
— The Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) January 27, 2018
The upset of the day was to be found in a dramatic West Yorkshire derby as eighth tier side Batley Boys defeated fourth tier Underbank Rangers 17-16, in a game which went to extra time.
Adam Bingham’s drop goal saw the Yorkshire Mens League side through to the second round as they swept aside their NCL Premier Division hosts.
DROP GOAL BINGHAM!!!!
— Batley Boys ARLFC (@BatleyBoysArlfc) January 27, 2018
The boys are through to round two of @TheChallengeCup
Full Time
Batley Boys 17-16 @UnderbankRL #ChallengeCup
Normanton Knights also needed an extra time drop goal to see them through to the second round, as they defeated the Royal Navy 12-11.
There were mixed fortunes for the Forces representative sides, with Royal Air Force progressing after a 12-4 win over Drighlington and British Army’s 48-10 win over Milford Marlins, but British Police went down to a heavy 8-40 loss at Cumbrian side Kells.
Elsewhere Siddal, who reached the fifth round of the competition back in 2016, fell at the first hurdle this year after suffering a 26-28 defeat in Leeds against Oulton Raiders, who play a league below them.
The results from Ladbrokes #ChallengeCup round 1
— The Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) January 27, 2018
Valley Cougars forfeit, Hunslet Club Parkside progress pic.twitter.com/Mfd5ZhYR86
London Chargers got revenge over Hammersmith Hills Hoists after suffering defeat to them in the London League final last season. This time around, the Chargers won 18-0 in the all-Capital clash.
West Hull face Irish side Longhorns RL in Sunday’s only fixture, whilst Shaw Cross Sharks’ postponed fixture against Beverley will take place next Saturday.
The second round draw takes place at 5pm on Wednesday evening from the Halliwell Jones Stadium, and you can watch it live on the BBC Sport website or via Facebook Live on the Challenge Cup Facebook page.
Tickets for the 2018 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, August 25 can be purchased by calling the Rugby League Ticket Office on 0844 856 1113 or by visiting www.rugby-league.com/tickets.
