Round 5 of the Betfred Challenge Cup did not disappoint, as the four victors will join 12 Betfred Super League teams in the Sixth Round draw this evening.
On Saturday, live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport, Swinton Lions played hosts to Sheffield Eagles. And it was to be a narrow victory for Mark Aston’s men, as they went on to clinch the match 12-14. The Eagles had been two points behind at the break, but two quick fire tries from Kris Welham and Ben Jones Bishop gave the visitors an eight point lead - something Swinton were unable to catch up with, despite a late try from Rhys Williams.
Then, over at the DCBL Stadium, Batley Bulldogs came from behind to beat Widnes Vikings on home soil. The Vikings would rack up a two score lead (8-0) in the first forty, dominating the game well into the second half.
But Batley, who had been on the back foot for the majority of the game, would produce a burst of three tries in the final 15 minutes, as Widnes were unable to build on their two tries.
Their breakthrough came through Kieran Buchanan, before two quick-fire tries from David Gibbons and Luke Cooper gave the visitors an 8-18 lead. Gregson then crossed to give the Vikings hope with just two minutes to go but Batley held on for an outstanding win - and their first ever win against Widnes in a Challenge Cup tie.
History makers York Acorn proudly bowed out of the Challenge Cup in Round 5, the Acorn losing heavily to a strong Halifax Panthers at The Shay on Sunday. The Panthers racked up 11 tries in a dominant display, but a late consolation try for Anthony Chiltern gave the visitors something to celebrate two minutes from time, as he went over from close range - scoring the final try for an amateur team in the 2024 competition.
Also in Yorkshire, there was an old
school classic of a cup tie - streamed live on The Sportsman - as Featherstone
met Wakefield competitively for the first time since 1998, and former Featherstone coach Daryl Powell returned to his old club.
In what can only be described as atrocious weather conditions, the muddy pitch and pouring rain proved to be the leveller - in a battle for the bragging rights and an eagerly-anticipated place in the next round.
There was little to separate the two Championship heavyweights, although a persevering Featherstone outfit would come up with the spoils in the first half, with two late tries from Connor Wynne to give the hosts a deserved 10-0 lead.
The battle continued well into the second half - an extremely entertaining watch for its spectators - and efforts from Oli Pratt, Romain Franco and a Mason Lino penalty got Wakefield level, as the teams continued to fight it out in a gruelling and scrappy encounter.
The hooter sounded at 10-10, taking the derby match into a nervy golden-point. And just four minutes in, it would be Featherstone’s Gareth Gale who capitalised on a Trinity error. Racing away 60m down the field, Gale slid over for the match-winner in the corner - sending the home fans into raptures, and securing a memorable and gutsy win for the Rovers.
Betfred Challenge Cup Round 5 results:
The draw for Round 6 of the Men’s Betfred Challenge Cup will be broadcast live on Sportsday from the BBC’s studios at MediaCity on Monday 11 March, from 6.30pm. Details can be found here.
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 with prices starting from just £20 for adults and £10 for under 16s, with family packages also available starting from only £18.75 for one adult and two under 16s.
