19 Apr 2023

Betfred Challenge Cup | Round Five Preview

Four ties take place this weekend in the fifth round of the Betfred Challenge Cup, with two fixtures set to be shown live.

In Saturday’s sole game, Betfred Championship sides Halifax Panthers and Bradford Bulls lock horns at the Shay, with the match being shown live on BBC iPlayer at 7pm.

Up for grabs is a place in Round Six and the semi-finals of 1895 Cup up for the winners, with Halifax looking to avenge their loss to the Bulls in the Championship earlier this month.

The last time the two sides met in a Challenge Cup tie came in 2019 when the Panthers won a memorable Quarter-Final tie 20-16 at Odsal.

One player looking to make his mark this weekend is James Saltonstall, with the winger needing just two tries to reach 100 in his career.

On Sunday, The Sportsman will head to the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium to provide live coverage of Batley Bulldogs’ meeting with Keighley Cougars, 3pm kick-off.

Although Keighley have earned impressive victories over both Bradford and York Knights in recent weeks, the hosts will be confident of advancing to the next round having won nine of the previous ten meetings between the sides.

However, Keighley did win the last time the pair met in a Challenge Cup tie, triumphing 29-8 in Round 4 back in 1994.

Elsewhere, York host Newcastle Thunder on Friday evening. Kick-off at the LNER Community Stadium is 7:30pm.

The Challenge Cup will be a welcomed distraction for both sides, who have endured mixed starts in the Championship this season. Just three points separates the sides in the league table, so this tie could prove to be an intriguing affair.

Two players who could well get on the scoresheet are York’s Joe Brown and James Glover – the duo have both crossed in the last three meetings between the teams.

Finally, Dewsbury Rams, the only remaining League One side in the competition, travel to Championship outfit London Broncos on Sunday, 3:05pm kick-off.

Liam Finn’s Dewsbury side head to the capital full of confidence having won all six of their league fixtures in 2023, and after eliminating Championship Widnes Vikings in Round Four.

The Broncos will fancy their chances, however, after winning their ten previous fixtures against the Rams. Dewsbury’s last victory in the capital was a 20-16 Championship win in April 2015 at The Hive, Barnet.

Betfred Super League sides enter the competition at Round Six (19-21 May). The draw will be broadcast live on the BBC News Channel’s Sportsday programme on Monday 24 April, 6:30pm.

Here’s how supporters of all 16 clubs in the hat can see the draw.
Freeview – Channel 231
iPlayer
Online
Sky – Channel 503
Virgin – Channel 601

Tickets for the 2023 Men’s and Women’s Challenge Cup finals at Wembley Stadium are on sale now via the RFL website. Fans can take advantage of an Early Bird offer of 25% OFF all tickets, with prices starting from only £15 Adults and £7.50 for Under 16s.

Round 5 Fixtures

Friday 21 April