Featherstone Lions join 11 other community in the third round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup after claiming an 18-6 win over Thatto Heath Crusaders, live on BBC Sport this afternoon.
In a clash that was in the balance for most of the 80 minutes, the Lions held a 7-0 half-time lead following a Joe Fox try plus a penalty and drop goal combination from fullback Ian Jackson.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FEED EM TO THE LIONS 🦠<br>FEED EM TO THE LIONS 🦠<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChallengeCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChallengeCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/quBJZFkBhs">pic.twitter.com/quBJZFkBhs</a></p>— The Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChallengeCup/status/962359271299145728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Man-of-the-match Fox bagged his second try midway through the second half but the visitors from St Helens set up an exciting final 10 minutes after Brad Ashurst’s try brought them 11-6 behind.
However in the dying minutes, Gaz Williamson went over for the hosts, before Jackson added the two and another drop goal to seal their place in Tuesday’s draw, which sees teams from Betfred League 1 enter the competition.
Featherstone forward Fox said: “We’ve worked hard this pre-season and all week and we turned up today, I’m chuffed to bits.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Not seen this one before 😂<br><br>Man of the Match at Featherstone Lions gets to down a 'leg' of beer 🤣🤣🤣 <a href="https://t.co/WXQo52Vgv0">pic.twitter.com/WXQo52Vgv0</a></p>— The Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChallengeCup/status/962404944664985602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
There were a number of cup upsets to be had today, including NCL Division Three club Millom defeating Bradford Dudley Hill, from Division One, 24-12.
Fellow Cumbrian side Askam (NCL Division Two), also overhauled a team two tiers above them as they defeated West Hull 16-4.
Cumbrian Mens League side Distington also won through to the next side after an impressive 12-4 win over NCL Division 1 outfit Lock Lane.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A few pictures from today's <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChallengeCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheChallengeCup</a> game vs <a href="https://twitter.com/WestHullARLFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WestHullARLFC</a>.<br>Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/dathersmith?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dathersmith</a> for the pictures. <br>Visit <a href="https://t.co/pCek9LBib6">https://t.co/pCek9LBib6</a> for full album ðŸ‘<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sandrats?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sandrats</a> <a href="https://t.co/CPUXNFS1MJ">pic.twitter.com/CPUXNFS1MJ</a></p>— Askam ARLFC (@Askam_ARLFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Askam_ARLFC/status/962392436638208000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Kells ensured all four Cumbrian sides progressed as they saw off Orrell St James.
For a second round in a row, Adam Bingham was Batley Boys’ hero as his late drop goal sealed a 13-12 win over the Royal Air Force. Bingham did exactly the same in Round 1 when the Yorkshire Mens League side dumped out NCL Premier outfit Underbank Rangers.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🎥 That drop goal... 👞ðŸ‰<a href="https://twitter.com/TheChallengeCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheChallengeCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/VKQiQ8LKAA">pic.twitter.com/VKQiQ8LKAA</a></p>— Batley Boys ARLFC (@BatleyBoysArlfc) <a href="https://twitter.com/BatleyBoysArlfc/status/962384869530710016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Army ensured one forces side made the third round after they defeated London Chargers 26-14 in Aldershot.
The University of Hull’s Challenge Cup run is over after they suffered a narrow 18-22 defeat to near neighbours Myton Warriors, who play on adjoining pitches.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">All the <a href="https://twitter.com/Ladbrokes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ladbrokes</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChallengeCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChallengeCup</a> results...<br><br>Third round draw live on the <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCSport</a> website from 7pm on Tuesday, February 13 <a href="https://t.co/aXN4wrAsC2">pic.twitter.com/aXN4wrAsC2</a></p>— The Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChallengeCup/status/962371521380585472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Hunslet Club Parkside, Oulton Raiders, Pilkington Recs and Normanton Knights are the four other sides to have made it through to round three.
Image: James Todd
