Round 2 of the Betfred Challenge Cup concluded on Sunday, with 12 ties taking place, and the Betfred Championship sides teams proving their strength.
Rochdale Hornets cruised into the Third Round with a comfortable 6-60 victory over local rivals Waterhead Warriors - all in front of The Sportsman cameras.
The Hornets ran in ten tries on this windy afternoon, including braces from Dan Nixon, Tommy Ashton and TJ Boyd, on the back of a Jamie Dallimore masterclass. They will now face Wigan Warriors in a glamour Third Round tie – playing a side who have won the Challenge Cup trophy a record 21-times.
Thatto Heath Crusaders’ cup run came to an end as they fell to a 0-76 defeat against Widnes Vikings, whilst Blackbrook were unable to set up a dream tie with St Helens in Round 3 after losing out to Workington Town, 6-28.
Widnes will now prepare to host Leeds in the next round.
Oldham were confident victors against Orrell (58-0), which means they come up against Dewsbury in Round 3.
Dewsbury, as well as Batley, did enough to ensure they would be competing in the next stage of the competition – producing identical 32-10 score-lines against West Hull and Hunslet ARLFC, respectively.
After today's result, the Bulldogs will welcome Catalans Dragons to the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium in two weeks' time.
Also in Yorkshire, Goole Vikings defeated Mirfield Spartans 4-58 and Halifax Panthers nilled London Chargers 88-0.
Today’s two winners will face each other in the Third Round in an all-Championship tie.
Doncaster edged Newcastle Thunder in an absolute thriller at the Eco Power Stadium, with Connor Robinson’s penalty goal proving to be the decisive factor. Their next challenge waiting for them will be Castleford Tigers.
It is also confirmed that London Broncos will meet Bradford Bulls in a blockbuster Third Round tie after they put Wests Warriors to the sword, 86-0.
North Wales Crusaders came out with the highest score in Round 2, beating Bedford Tigers 110-0, meaning they will face 2023 Challenge Cup winners, the Leigh Leopards.
Finally, Midlands Hurricanes were equally as dominant against Aberavon Fighting Irish (also 110-0), and have booked themselves an away trip with fellow Championship side Keighley Cougars in the next round.
Betfred Challenge Cup Round 2, Sunday 25 January:
Waterhead 6-60 Rochdale Hornets
Thatto Heath Crusaders 0-76 Widnes Vikings
Blackbrook 6-28 Workington Town
Dewsbury Rams 32-10 West Hull
Batley Bulldogs 32-10 Hunslet ARLFC
London Broncos 86-0 Wests Warriors
North Wales Crusaders 110-0 Bedford Tigers
Oldham 58-0 Orrell St James
Mirfield Spartans 4-58 Goole Vikings
Doncaster 24-22 Newcastle Thunder
Halifax Panthers 88-0 London Chargers
Midlands Hurricanes 110-0 Aberavon Fighting Irish
Betfred Challenge Cup Round 3 (ties to be played on the weekend of February 6-8):
Barrow Raiders v York Knights
Batley Bulldogs v Catalans Dragons
North Wales Crusaders v Leigh Leopards
Lock Lane v Hull KR
Workington Town v St Helens
Rochdale Hornets v Wigan Warriors
London Broncos v Bradford Bulls
Widnes Vikings v Leeds Rhinos
Sheffield Eagles v Warrington Wolves
Salford RLFC v Hull FC
Hunslet v Huddersfield Giants
Doncaster v Castleford Tigers
Halifax Panthers v Goole Vikings
Oldham v Dewsbury Rams
Keighley Cougars v Midlands Hurricanes
Swinton Lions v Wakefield Trinity
Betfred Challenge Cup 2026 key dates:
Third Round (Super League clubs enter) – Feb 6-8
Fourth Round (last 16) – March 14-15
Quarter Finals – April 11-12
Semi Finals – May 9/10
Final – Saturday May 30
It's Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 30 May 2026. Book your tickets here today and enjoy our early bird prices!
