It’s the Fifth Round of the Betfred Challenge Cup this week, and the final round before the 12 Betfred Super League teams enter the competition. There are four blockbuster ties to entertain fans this weekend, as seven Betfred Championship clubs and one community side contest for the four places on offer.
Saturday will see Swinton Lions play hosts to Sheffield Eagles live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport, as both teams come into the Fifth Round following strong wins in Round 4. The Lions overcame a spirited Oldham outfit, whilst the Eagles triumphed against York Knights.
But Swinton were unable to capitalise last weekend against Bradford in the 1895 Cup and were consigned to their first defeat of 2024, whereas Mark Aston's men come into this game on the back of a strong performance in their 1895 Cup quarter-final win over Batley. The two sides have met twice previously in the Challenge Cup and it’s currently one a piece – their most recent cup meeting being in 2016, where the Eagles clinched a tight 32-28 victory. Who will take the spoils in 2024?
Then on Saturday evening, Widnes Vikings, seven-times Challenge Cup winners, will entertain inaugural Challenge Cup winners Batley at the DCBL Stadium. Batley have lost all seven of their Challenge Cup matches against Widnes since 1925, so will be looking to rewrite history when they travel across the Pennines. With both sides falling short in the 1895 Cup competition - Batley in the quarter-finals and Widnes in the group stages, their focus can now turn wholly to the Challenge Cup, as they look to progress to the next round.
The Vikings have been boosted by the possible return of club captain Jack Owens and Danny Langtree from injury, and they could both be set to feature in this Round 5 cup tie - as Allan Coleman's men look to back up their brilliant performance against Bradford in Round 4. Likewise, the Bulldogs will be eager to continue their Challenge Cup run after a strong Fourth Round win over Rochdale, and should look to bounce back following a narrow 1895 Cup quarter-final defeat to Sheffield last Sunday.
Halifax Panthers have home advantage on Sunday when they take on NCL's York Acorn. Acorn, who have been left to fly the flag for community rugby league, face a tough test when they visit The Shay, but will be no doubt relishing the opportunity. It will also be a historic moment for Acorn, as they have never made the Fifth Round before – the furthest they have ever progressed being Fourth Round in 2012 and 2024. Halifax, on the other hand, thrive off knockout competitions. Having made it to Wembley last year in the 1895 Cup and winning 2023's nail-biting final, the Panthers' most recent Challenge Cup success comes in the form of 2019 semi-final against St Helens - in which they bowed out of with pride and having given it their all.
However, current 1895 Cup holders Halifax have endured a disappointing 1895 Cup campaign this year, and were unable to make it out of the initial group stages. But with a Challenge Cup run still on offer, will Liam Finn's men make it to the Sixth Round where they will have the opportunity to face Super League opposition once more?
Sunday's final game, live on The Sportsman, will see a highly-anticipated match take place at the Millennium Stadium as Featherstone Rovers meet Wakefield Trinity for the first time competitively since 1998. Their last meeting in 1998 saw Wakefield emphatically secure promotion to Super League in the inaugural Division One Final with a 22-24 victory at Huddersfield.
Now, all eyes will be on Sunday's match, as Trinity will take the short trip down the road to face their local rivals in the prestigious Challenge Cup - two teams who have rich history where this competition is concerned; Wakefield five times winners and Featherstone with three cup wins. And there will be no love lost between the two West Yorkshire sides, as this tie promises to be a gripping cup clash not only for bragging rights, but a place in the Sixth Round to potentially face Super League opposition - and an opportunity for the Championship heavyweights to test themselves ahead of the league starting, the following week.
Betfred Challenge Cup Round 5 fixtures:
Swinton Lions v Sheffield Eagles (K.O. 12:30pm) - BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport
Widnes Vikings v Batley Bulldogs (K.O. 6pm)
Halifax Panthers v York Acorn (K.O. 3pm)
Featherstone Rovers v Wakefield Trinity (K.O. 3pm) - The Sportsman
The Men's 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup Final (KO 3pm) 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 (KO 11.45am) and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup (KO 5.45pm). Plus, there will be the traditional Year 7 Boys’ Champion Schools Final at 10am.
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. This early bird offer ends this Sunday - purchase your tickets today and avoid missing out!
Photo Credit: Sheffield Eagles
