The 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup is underway – and already it looks set to be one of the most open competitions yet, with little to separate the sides in several ties.
In the match of the round at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, the Royal Air Force faced the Royal Navy for the first time in the competition. And it was the visitors who emerged victorious 28-22 in a ding-dong Forces battle. Two tries from outstanding winger Harry Davies helped the RAF turn a 4-12 deficit into an 18-12 half-time lead, before the Royal Navy dominated a second period which began as an arm wrestle and ended with a match-clinching try from Leeds-born stand-off Charlie Mattison and a late consolation effort from Finn O’Brien.
The Royal Navy will be left to fly the Forces flag after the British Army were narrowly defeated 13-10 at the home of the leading Yorkshire Men’s League side Fryston Warriors.
Meanwhile, St Helens side Clock Face Miners stunned Heworth, now of the National Conference League Premier Division, in front of a partisan Crawford Rec crowd. When winger Jimmy Jones touched down to give the North West Counties Men’s League team a richly deserved 22-4 lead, Heworth were staring down the barrel. But the York outfit clawed their way back and, thanks to a superb George Elliott chip and chase effort, found themselves only two points in arrears with two minutes to go. But while both sides had chances during a frantic finale it was Clock Face, with prop Tom Taylor spearheading an outstanding pack effort, who held on to win 22-20.
Things were just as close at Doncaster Toll Bar, where another North West Counties Men’s League side, Ashton Bears, led 10-0 at one stage before going down 22-20.
And only six points separated Lowca and Edinburgh Eagles – the Eagles turning around a 10-4 half-time deficit to claim a sensational 28-22 win in West Cumbria.
Ashton Golding’s Stanningley side, who reached the third round of the Challenge Cup last year with following convincing wins over Milford and Fryston Warriors, proved too hot to handle for South Wales Jets. The Jets, at their heart a charity side with a passionate focus on tackling mental health and breaking down stigmas, gave everything in their inaugural Challenge Cup match, but favourites Stanningley were good value for their 40-4 win. Joseph Phipps grabbed a try in each half as Stanningley raced into a 40-0 lead, but Ben Jones scored a late consolation try to finally put the Jets on the scoreboard.
London will have two sides in the second round, after Wests Warriors defeated Yorkshire Men’s League Champions Newsome Panthers 28-4 and reigning Southern Conference champions Hammersmith Hills Hoists accounted for Gillingham’s Medway Dragons 60-6.
And a dominant first half performance from West Bowling saw the Bradford side win away at Oulton Raiders for the first time in four years – 34-22.
In the Round 1 tie played earlier today (Sunday 14 January), Orrell St James attracted one of their biggest ever crowds for the visit of Challenge Cup debutants Haresfinch – and rewarded the home faithful with a convincing 20-4 win, with prop Kye Siyani turning in an all-action 80-minute stint to earn the Betfred Player of the Match award.
His side will entertain York Acorn in Round 2, when the winners of the 10 Round 1 ties are joined by 10 clubs from the National Conference League.
Round 1 results
Clock Face Miners 22 Heworth 20
Doncaster Toll Bar 22 Ashton Bears 20
Fryston Warriors 13 British Army 10
Hammersmith Hills Hoists 56 Medway Dragons 6
Lowca 22 Edinburgh Eagles 28
Orrell St James 20 Haresfinch 4
Oulton Raiders 22 West Bowling 34
Royal Air Force 22 Royal Navy 28
South Wales Jets 4 Stanningley 40
Wests Warriors 28 Newsome Panthers 4
Orwell St James 20 Haresfinch 4
Round 2 draw (ties to be played on the weekend of 27/28 January)
Clock Face Miners v Siddal
Doncaster Toll Bar v West Hull
Fryston Warriors v Hunslet ARLFC
Hammersmith Hills Hoists v West Bowling
Hull Dockers v Wath Brow Hornets
Leigh Miners Rangers v Stanningley
Lock Lane v Edinburgh Eagles
Orrell St James v York Acorn
Royal Navy v Thatto Heath Crusaders
Wests Warriors v Rochdale Mayfield
One second round tie will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website and app; another will be streamed by The Sportsman. Selected fixtures will be announced as soon as possible.
The 10 Round 2 winners be joined at Round 3 by 22 semi-professional clubs from the Betfred Championship and Betfred League One, with ties taking place over the weekend of 10/11 February. Widnes Vikings, 40 years on from their 1984 Wembley triumph, will host the draw for Rounds 3 and 4 of the competition on Monday 29 January at 6.30pm. This will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer.
The Men's 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup Final is part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June, alongside the finals of the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup and AB Sundecks 1895 Cup. Tickets are available online now from only £15 Adults and £7.50 Under 16s, with family packages also available starting from just £18.75 for one Adult and two Under 16s.
