The final set of AB Sundecks 1895 Cup group fixtures will be underway on Sunday, but which eight teams will make the quarter-finals?
Current holders Halifax will be watching on nervously as a local derby is taking place between Oldham and Rochdale Hornets over in Group 1. A win for Oldham would ensure top spot for Sean Long’s men and secure a quarter-final spot, whereas ‘Fax would be desperately hoping they’d done enough to finish as the best second placed team. If Rochdale win however, all teams in the group will be level on points – coming down to that crucial points difference.
Over in West Yorkshire and Hunslet will entertain Batley Bulldogs on home soil, as the Bulldogs will look to overtake Featherstone on top spot for a place in the quarter-finals. Batley have won the previous 14 meetings against Hunslet since 2007, but could this finally be set to change on Sunday?
Wakefield Trinity will then be looking for their second successive win in the group stages, following a dominating performance against York Knights in Round Two. They come into this fixture on the back of a huge 70-6 Challenge Cup victory over a spirited Siddal last weekend, where they went on to score 58 unanswered second-half points. Their fixture this Sunday will be on neutral territory against Newcastle Thunder, with Newcastle’s home venue Kingston Park unavailable. They will play at Featherstone’s Millenium Stadium, with League One's Thunder retaining the gate receipts for this cup game - and both clubs have urged fans to come and support rugby league in the North East.
Meanwhile Keighley Cougars will host Bradford Bulls at Cougar Park in their dedicated match, in celebration of February’s LGBTQ+ History Month. The victors will go straight through to the quarter-finals, so is set to be a tense battle between these two sides.
North Wales Crusaders will host Widnes Vikings in their final group match, with both teams fighting for second place, following Swinton’s triumph in both group fixtures – and assurance of their place in the last eight. The Vikings come into this game on the back of a hefty Round 3 Challenge Cup victory over Doncaster, whereas North Wales will be looking to right their wrongs after their Challenge Cup woe.
A Cumbrian derby is taking place between Whitehaven and Workington, where both sides are out of contention for a quarter-final spot, as Barrow Raiders have been unstoppable in their pre-season friendlies and the 1895 Cup competition so far. Whitehaven have won the last six away meetings with Workington, and despite being out of the running, it is still predicted to be a fierce encounter between the local arch-rivals.
And it is a must win for Sheffield Eagles on Sunday when the inaugural 1895 Cup winners take on Midlands Hurricanes for the first time ever - if Mark Aston's men are to have any hope of finishing top of their group.
The 1895 Group Stage 3 fixtures are as follows: (all Sunday 18 February)
- North Wales Crusaders v Widnes Vikings
- Oldham RLFC v Rochdale Hornets
- Newcastle Thunder v Wakefield Trinity
- Hunslet RLFC v Batley Bulldogs
- Keighley Cougars v Bradford Bulls
- Workington Town v Whitehaven RLFC
- Midlands Hurricanes v Sheffield Eagles
The top seven teams of each group and the best second placed team will progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.
The AB Sundecks 1895 Cup quarter-finals and semi-finals draw will be streamed live on the BBC Sport website on Sunday 18 February, following the conclusion of the final Group 1 fixture between Workington Town and Whitehaven. More information can be found here. The ball numbers will be labelled 1-7 in alignment with each of the seven groups, with number 8 representing the best second placed team.
The AB Sundecks 1895 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 Men's 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup Final. Tickets are available online now!
Don't forget to download your AB Sundecks 1895 Cup wall chart here.
Photo Credit: Sports by JLH Photography Yorkshire
