Round 6 of the Betfred Challenge Cup is complete – and Monday night’s quarter-finals draw will be an all-Betfred Super League affair.
Yet at times on Saturday afternoon it looked like Batley Bulldogs and Featherstone Rovers might break the Super League stranglehold and clinch two of the eight places for the Betfred Championship.
Batley Bulldogs went deservedly into half time neck-and-neck with the Tigers at 14-all, having once led 8-0 through a Dane Manning try and two David Gibbons goals, but experienced former Man of Steel Paul McShane gave ‘Cas the lead early in the second half with a try and a conversion to calm his side’s jitters. And further tries from Jacob Miller and Innes Senior ensured that the Tigers avoided an upset, giving former Bulldogs coach Craig Lingard his first competitive victory at the Tigers’ helm, 28-14.
The Sportsman cameras were at a blustery Leigh Sports Village, where a ding-dong battle between cup holders Leigh Leopards and Featherstone Rovers was illuminated by flying wingers Umyla Hanley and Manoa Wacokecoke.
Hanley’s speed, step and balance brought him a first half hat-trick as the Leopards went in 14-4 to the good at half time, but Wacokecoke followed up his superb individual effort of the first half with another eye-catching effort in the second to keep Rovers just about in contention.
Leopards’ hearts were beating faster when new Featherstone Rovers signing Paul Turner caused havoc in the Leigh ranks before creating room for another outstanding winger, Gareth Gale, to score out wide. Rovers threw everything they could at the Leigh defence in the closing stages, but the 26-14 final scoreline was ultimately a fair reflection of a thrilling contest.
The third Saturday afternoon match proved a one-sided affair, with Hull FC taking their faltering Super League form into the cup and Huddersfield Giants taking full advantage on home turf. And it was former Black and White winger Adam Swift who did much of the damage, as the Giants romped home by 50-6 against his old side. Swift crossed for four tries – his first the 150th of his career.
Warrington Wolves then played hosts to London Broncos in what was a Super League Round 5 replay, as Sam Burgess' men continued their fine form with a 42-0 victory on home soil.
Three matches took place on Friday night, with last year’s beaten finalists, Hull KR, signalling their determination to go one better in this year’s competition. Rovers put visitors Salford Red Devils to the sword 40-0 at Sewell Group Craven Park, following up an emotional pre-match tribute to the late Phil Lowe who died this week with a performance the Great Britain legend would have been proud of.
A Marc Sneyd-inspired Salford defeated Hull KR in the Super League less than three weeks ago but Rovers, with two-try Ryan Hall moving up to 22nd on the all-time Great Britain list with 323 career tries, were in no mood for a double dose. Seven other sides will join Rovers in the draw for the quarter-finals – and none of them will fancy a trip to east Hull.
It’s hard to imagine any sides relishing a trip to St Helens or Wigan either. The famous rivals, who go head-to-head in the Super League on Good Friday, were also in action on Friday night – and St Helens in particular were in imperious mood.
Saints came from behind to beat Leeds Rhinos in the Super League last week and did so again with another dominant second half display at AMT Headingley Stadium, which was streamed live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport. Like last week, precious little separated the sides at half time. But just like last week Saints were in complete control in the second half, adapting to the atrocious conditions much better than their hosts to score 10 unanswered points and win 20-6.
Wigan Warriors didn’t have things all their own way against Championship side Sheffield Eagles, who put in a valiant effort over at the DW Stadium. And when Cory Aston converted a Matty Dawson-Jones try from the touchline to give the visitors a 10-12 lead on 37 minutes, the head coaches of both sides must surely have recalled the Eagles’ famous triumph against Wigan at Wembley in 1998.
Wigan finally got their noses in front through Jake Wardle just after the restart, but Sheffield’s steel kept them in contention for more than an hour before the class of the likes of Bevan French helped Wigan eventually win 44-18.
The final match on Sunday would see Catalans Dragons travel to The Shay to face second tier Halifax Panthers. It was a dominant display from Steve McNamara's Dragons; the visitors comfortably winning 4-40. Tom Davies starred with a first half hat-trick, as Catalans went on to ensure their place in the quarter-finals and join the other seven Super League sides in Monday night's draw.
Betfred Challenge Cup Round 6 fixtures and results:
- Batley Bulldogs 14 Castleford Tigers 28
- Huddersfield Giants 50 Hull FC 6
- Hull KR 40 Salford Red Devils 0
- Leeds Rhinos 6 St Helens 20
- Leigh Leopards 26 Featherstone Rovers 14
- Wigan Warriors 44 Sheffield Eagles 18
- Warrington Wolves 42 v London Broncos 0
- Halifax Panthers 4 v Catalans Dragons 40
Quarter-final draw and ball numbers:
BBC Radio 5Live will host the draw for the quarter-finals of the Men’s Betfred Challenge Cup on Monday 25 March – and darts aces and Rugby League fans Joe Cullen and Michael Smith will be joining ‘The Monday Night Club’ between 8.45pm-9 to conduct the draw.
St Helens supporter Smith, world champion in 2023, and Wigan Warriors fan Cullen, a former Masters champion and Premier League finalist, will be desperate to deliver a home draw for their respective sides – something that clubs in the hat will be dearly hoping for too.
Quarter-finals draw ball numbers:
1. Castleford Tigers
2. Catalans Dragons
3. Huddersfield Giants
4. Hull KR
5. Leigh Leopards
6. St Helens
7. Warrington Wolves
8. Wigan Warriors
Ties will be played on the weekend of 13/14 April and broadcast details will be announced in due course.
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 £20 Adults and £10 Under 16s, with family packages also available.
