York Acorn moved to within 80 minutes of a fairytale Betfred Challenge Cup tie against the five-time competition winners Hull FC as they convincingly defeated GB Police 52-4 at Portico Vine this afternoon (19 January).
The National Conference League side opened the scoring early on through Jack Green and went into the break 22 points ahead with Ben Husband crossing two minutes into the second half to kill off any chance of a police revival.
Thatto Heath Crusaders also secured their place in the Second Round and are within one win of a home tie against Super League heavyweights Catalans Dragons as they survived a late comeback against local rivals Orrell St James.
Today’s results will see York host Oulton Raiders next weekend with Thatto Heath travelling to Championship side Halifax Panthers.
The sport’s oldest knockout competition has a new format in 2025, with the 12 Betfred Super League clubs entering at the Third Round stage early next month – and the Third Round draw held last week.
Betfred Challenge Cup First Round Results, Sunday January 19:
- GB Police 4 York Acorn 52
- Thatto Heath Crusaders 28 Orrell St James 24
Second Round draw - Ties to be played on weekend of January 25-26:
- York Acorn v Oulton Raiders, Saturday 25 January, KO 2pm (winners play Hull FC)
- Halifax Panthers v Thatto Heath, Sunday 26 January, KO 3pm (winners play Catalans Dragons)
- Dewsbury Moor v Dewsbury Rams, Saturday 25 January KO 2pm
- Barrow Raiders v Crosfields, Sunday 26 January KO 3pm
- Royal Navy v Workington Town, Sunday 26 January KO 1pm (winners play Leigh Leopards)
- London Broncos v Goole Vikings, Saturday Jan 25, 1230pm, live on BBC Sport (winners play Wakefield Trinity)
- Lock Lane v Hunslet RLFC, Saturday 25 January KO 2pm (winners play Huddersfield Giants)
- Waterhead Warriors v Featherstone Rovers, Saturday 25 January KO 2pm
- Wests Warriors v British Army, Saturday 25 January KO 2pm (winners play Leeds Rhinos)
- Whitehaven v Swinton Lions, Saturday Jan 25, 3pm (winners play Warrington Wolves)
- Hunslet ARLFC v West Hull, Saturday 25 January KO 2pm (winners play St Helens)
- Rochdale Hornets v Widnes Vikings, Sunday 26 January KO 3pm
- Oldham v Rochdale Mayfield, Sunday 26 January KO TBC
- Keighley Cougars v York Knights, Sunday 2 February KO 3pm (winners play Hull KR)
- Sheffield Eagles v West Bowling, Sunday 26 January KO 3pm (winners play Wigan Warriors)
- Bradford Bulls v Doncaster, Sunday 26 January KO 3pm (winners play Castleford Tigers)
- Blackbrook v Ince Rose Bridge, Saturday 25 January KO 2pm
- Midlands Hurricanes v Siddal, Sunday 26 January KO 2pm (winners play Salford Red Devils)
- Cornwall v North Wales Crusaders, Sunday 26 January KO 3pm
- Newcastle Thunder v Batley Bulldogs, Sunday 26 January KO 3pm
Third Round draw details can be found here.
Saturday 7 June is Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day 2025 – also including the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final, AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final, and RFL Champion Schools Year 7 Boys Final. Tickets are on sale now!
