2026 Challenge Cup Discussion

[Taking The Two]

The greatest knockout competition in world sports gets drawn on Monday 24th November, where rounds one and two will be drawn. Round Two holds some interest as the Championship sides, including Darren Lockyer's London Broncos, come into the draw.

The full list of teams in the First Round draw is as follows – divided into three sections for a regionalised draw:

North West (12 teams, 6 ties) – GB Police, Seaton Rangers, Orrell St James, Haresfinch, Blackbrook, Siddal, Waterhead, Thatto Heath Crusaders, Rochdale Mayfield, Leigh Miners Rangers, Wigan St Judes, Ince Rose Bridge

Yorkshire (12 teams, 6 ties) – Woodhouse, Brighouse Rangers, RAF, King Cross Park, Mirfield Spartans, Stanningley, West Hull, Hunslet ARLFC, York Acorn, Lock Lane, Dewsbury Moor, Heworth

National (10 teams, 5 ties) – Broncos (Northern Ireland), Aberavon Fighting Irish (Wales), Bedford Tigers, Hammersmith Hills Hoists, London Chargers, Wests Warriors (Southern Conference League), British Army, Royal Navy, Medway Dragons (London ARL), Telford Raiders (Midlands)

The Second Round draw will combine 17 First Round winners with the 21 Betfred Championship clubs, to produce 19 ties – which will again be regionalised as much as possible.

North West (8 teams) – Barrow Raiders, Oldham, Rochdale Hornets, Salford Red Devils, Swinton Lions, Whitehaven, Widnes Vikings, Workington Town

Yorks / North East (10 teams) – Batley Bulldogs, Dewsbury Rams, Doncaster, Featherstone Rovers, Goole Vikings, Halifax Panthers, Hunslet, Keighley Cougars, Newcastle Thunder, Sheffield Eagles

National (3 teams) – London Broncos, Midlands Hurricanes, North Wales Crusaders

 

[Taking The Two]

Ball numbers 1-12 will be drawn first, generating six ties
1. Blackbrook
2. GB Police
3. Haresfinch
4. Ince Rose Bridge
5. Leigh Miners Rangers
6. Orrell St James
7. Rochdale Mayfield
8. Seaton Rangers
9. Siddal
10. Thatto Heath Crusaders
11. Waterhead
12. Wigan St Judes

Ball numbers 13-24 will then be drawn, generating another six ties
13. Brighouse Rangers
14. Dewsbury Moor
15. Heworth
16. Hunselt ARLFC
17. Kings Cross Park
18. Lock Lane
19. Mirfield Spartans
20. RAF
21. Stanningley
22. West Hull
23. Woodhouse Warriors
24. York Acorn

Ball numbers 25-34 will then be drawn, generating another five ties
25. Aberavon Fighting Irish
26. Bedford Tigers
27. British Army
28. Broncos (Northern Ireland)
29. Hammersmith Hills Hoists
30. London Chargers
31. Medway Dragons
32. Royal Navy
33. Telford Raiders
34. Wests Warriors.

First Round dates: 10-11 January 2026

SECOND ROUND
BALL NUMBERS

1-17. First Round winners

Western Section

35. Barrow Raiders

36. Oldham

37. Rochdale Hornets

38. Salford Red Devils

39. Swinton Lions

40. Whitehaven

41. Widnes Vikings

42. Workington Town

Eastern Section

43. Batley Bulldogs

44. Dewsbury Rams

45. Doncaster
46. Featherstone Rovers

47. Goole Vikings

48. Halifax Panthers

49. Hunslet

50. Keighley Cougars

51. Newcastle Thunder

52. Sheffield Eagles

National Section

53. London Broncos

54. Midlands Hurricanes

55. North Wales Crusaders

Second round dates: 24-25th January 2026

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/pos...-second-round-draw-ball-numbers-revealed-2026

 

[Taking The Two]

Challenge Cup Round One draw – ties to be played weekend of January 10-11

Orrell St James v Haresfinch

Wigan St Judes v Leigh Miners Rangers

Rochdale Mayfield v Ince Rose Bridge

Blackbrook v GB Police

Thatto Heath Crusaders v Seaton Rangers

Siddal v Waterhead

Stanningley v Dewsbury Moor

Kings Cross Park v West Hull

Hunslet ARLFC v York Acorn

Heworth v RAF

Brighouse Rangers v Lock Lane

Woodhouse Warriors v Mirfield Spartans

Bedford Tigers v Medway Dragons

British Army v Wests Warriors

Broncos (Northern Ireland) v Aberavon Fighting Irish

Telford Raiders v London Chargers

Royal Navy v Hammersmith Hills Hoists



Challenge Cup Round Two draw - ties to be played on the weekend of January 24-25

Oldham v Orrell St James/Haresfinch

Wigan St Jude/Leigh Miners Rangers v Barrow Raiders

Rochdale Mayfield/Ince Rose Bridge v Swinton Lions

Blackbrook/GB Police v Workington Town

Thatto Heath Crusaders/Seaton Rangers v Widnes Vikings

Siddal/Waterhead v Rochdale Hornets

Stanningley/Dewsbury Moor v Hunslet

Dewsbury Rams v Kings Cross Park/West Hull

Batley Bulldogs v Hunslet ARLFC/York Acorn

Heworth/RAF v Keighley Cougars

Brighouse Rangers/Lock Lane v Featherstone Rovers

Woodhouse Warriors/Mirfield Spartans v Goole Vikings

North Wales Crusaders v Bedford Tigers/Medway Dragons

London Broncos v British Army/Wests Warriors

Midlands Hurricanes v Broncos (Northern Ireland)/Aberavon Fighting Irish

Halifax Panthers v Telford Raiders/London Chargers

Royal Navy/Hammersmith Hills Hoists v Salford Red Devils

Sheffield Eagles v Whitehaven

Doncaster v Newcastle Thunder

https://www.rugby-league.com/article/64419/2026-betfred-challenge-cup-rounds-one-and-two-draws-made



Some good ties in both rounds. You've got a Wigan v St Helens tie in Orrell St James v Haresfinch, a Wigan v Leigh tie in Wigan St Judes v Leigh Miners Rangers, a Northern Irish v Welsh tie in Broncos v Aberavon and a 1st v 4th from the 2025 National Conference League in Siddal v Waterhead. Round Two throws up the potential for Thatto Heath v Widnes, a potential Leeds derby in Stanningley v Hunslet, a Cas v Featherstone tie in Lock Lane v Featherstone, an all London tie in London Broncos v Wests Warriors and recently relegated Salford potentially playing Hammersmith.

 

[Coastbloke]

I miss having some French teams in the CC

 

[Perth Red]

Toulouse have opted out again of playing in CC as unwilling/unable to pay the bond. Catalans once again have opted in.

Super League club withdraw from Challenge Cup as explanation provided

Toulouse Olympique have again declined the opportunity to enter the Challenge Cup despite their promotion, the RFL have confirmed.

www.loverugbyleague.com

 

[jason taylor]

I miss having some French teams in the CC

Didn't the Belgrade team participate at least once/a few years? (Or did that never get off the ground?)

 

[Taking The Two]

Didn't the Belgrade team participate at least once/a few years? (Or did that never get off the ground?)

Once, as far as I remember.

At the turn of the millennium, the early rounds of the cup had a plethora of French and Russian teams competing in it.

 

[League Unlimited News]

Fixture list locked in. Oldham St Annes replace Haresfinch who have withdrawn

Saturday 10 January​

Telford vs. London Chargers at Phoenix Sports & Leisure Centre.
Kickoff: 1:00 PM.

Brighouse Rangers vs. Lock Lane at Brighouse Sports Club.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM.

Hunslet ARLFC vs. York Acorn at The Oval (Hunslet).
Kickoff: 1:30 PM.

Orrell St James vs. Oldham St Annes at Bankes Avenue Playing Fields.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM.
Note: Haresfinch ARLFC withdrew in mid-December and were replaced by Oldham St Annes

Rochdale Mayfield vs. Ince Rose Bridge at Mayfield Sports Centre.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Broadcast: BBC iPlayer

Navy vs. Hammersmith at Victory Stadium.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM.

Stanningley vs. Dewsbury Moor at The Arthur Miller Stadium.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM.

Woodhouse vs. Mirfield at Buslingthorpe Vale.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM.

Blackbrook vs. British Police at Blackbrook Sports & Recreation Club.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM.

King Cross vs. West Hull at King Cross Park.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM.

Thatto Heath vs. Seaton Rangers at Crusader Park.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM.

Heworth vs. RAF at Elm Park Way.
Kickoff: 2:30 PM.

Wigan St Judes vs. Leigh Miners R. at Parsons Meadow Playing Fields.
Kickoff: 2:30 PM.

Sunday 11 January​

Broncos vs. Aberavon at Ballymacarn Park.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM.

British Army vs. Wests Warriors at Aldershot Military Stadium.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM.

Siddal vs. Waterhead at Siddal Sports & Community Centre.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Broadcast: The Sportsman (YouTube)

Bedford Tigers vs. Medway at Putnoe Woods.
Kickoff: 2:30 PM.

2026 Challenge Cup » League Unlimited

leagueunlimited.com

 

[TomMath11]

The greatest knockout competition in world sports gets drawn on Monday 24th November, where rounds one and two will be drawn. Round Two holds some interest as the Championship sides, including Darren Lockyer's London Broncos, come into the draw.

The full list of teams in the First Round draw is as follows – divided into three sections for a regionalised draw:

North West (12 teams, 6 ties) – GB Police, Seaton Rangers, Orrell St James, Haresfinch, Blackbrook, Siddal, Waterhead, Thatto Heath Crusaders, Rochdale Mayfield, Leigh Miners Rangers, Wigan St Judes, Ince Rose Bridge

Yorkshire (12 teams, 6 ties) – Woodhouse, Brighouse Rangers, RAF, King Cross Park, Mirfield Spartans, Stanningley, West Hull, Hunslet ARLFC, York Acorn, Lock Lane, Dewsbury Moor, Heworth

National (10 teams, 5 ties) – Broncos (Northern Ireland), Aberavon Fighting Irish (Wales), Bedford Tigers, Hammersmith Hills Hoists, London Chargers, Wests Warriors (Southern Conference League), British Army, Royal Navy, Medway Dragons (London ARL), Telford Raiders (Midlands)

The Second Round draw will combine 17 First Round winners with the 21 Betfred Championship clubs, to produce 19 ties – which will again be regionalised as much as possible.

North West (8 teams) – Barrow Raiders, Oldham, Rochdale Hornets, Salford Red Devils, Swinton Lions, Whitehaven, Widnes Vikings, Workington Town

Yorks / North East (10 teams) – Batley Bulldogs, Dewsbury Rams, Doncaster, Featherstone Rovers, Goole Vikings, Halifax Panthers, Hunslet, Keighley Cougars, Newcastle Thunder, Sheffield Eagles
https://wincraft.casino/ka
National (3 teams) – London Broncos, Midlands Hurricanes, North Wales Crusaders

Great to see the early rounds shaping up again — the regionalised draw always gives the community clubs a real chance to shine. Some cracking ties in there, especially in the North West section where half those teams seem to know each other inside out.
Round Two will be where it really gets interesting, though. The Championship sides coming in — especially London Broncos under Lockyer — should add a lot of intrigue, and the mix of Army, RAF, and Navy teams always brings something different.

 

[League Unlimited News]

Several Challenge Cup ties postponed​

As is common at this time of year, so far three of the 17 Challenge Cup matches scheduled for Saturday across the UK have been postponed by a week due to frozen pitches. The King Cross Park-West Hull, Telford Raiders-London Chargers, and Rochdale Mayfield-Ince Rose Bridge clashes will all be played now on Saturday 17 January.

Total RL

https://leagueunlimited.com/news/43219-the-off-season-report-latest-news/

---

As it stands the remaining 14 fixtures are still proceeding Sat-Sun this weekend, subject to change.

 

[League Unlimited News]

 

[League Unlimited News]

First Round fixtures played over the weekend




Detailed results: https://leagueunlimited.com/news/43204-2026-challenge-cup/

Nine more ties to be played next weekend, then the second round the following week.

Third round draw today (Monday).

 

[Taking The Two]

Draw not televised anywhere and will be released at 4pm.

https://www.saintsrlfc.com/2026/01/12/challenge-cup-round-3-draw-details/

 

[Taking The Two]

Never mind, they’ve drawn it anyway.


Rugby League never changes. What a shitshow.

 

[Taking The Two]

https://x.com/_ian_e_white/status/2011896754350993470?s=46

Hammersmith will host Salford at Chiswick. 6pm kick-off. No sign yet as to when or where London vs Wests Warriors will be played.

 

[League Unlimited News]

2026 Challenge Cup » League Unlimited

leagueunlimited.com

Full first round results

Saturday 10 January

Hunslet ARLFC 48 (T. Dargan 5, A. Goddard, M. Haigh, J. Mclelland, B. Shulver tries; H. Shackleton 6 goals) defeated York Acorn 6 (H. Kirk try; O. Harrison goal) at Hunslet Club Sports Village.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Halftime: Hunslet ARLFC 16-6. Referee: Matty Clayton.

Orrell St James 34 (J. Robinson 2, J. Charnock, J. Dandy, C. Doran, T. Whittle tries; J. Charnock 5 goals) defeated Oldham St Annes 0 at Bankes Avenue Playing Fields.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Halftime: Orrell St James 10-0. Referee: Liam Breheny.

Hammersmith Hills Hoists 18 (J. Fisher 2, J. Best, K. Strachan tries; J. Ryan goal) defeated Royal Navy 4 (J. Korobiau try) at Victory Stadium.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Halftime: Hammersmith 8-4. Referee: Oliver Maddock.

Blackbrook ARLFC 52 (J. Johnson 2, J. McManus 2, A. Hyland, L. Marsh, P. Nash, C. Tunstall, J. Wilson tries; D. Moss 8 goals) defeated GB Police 6 (J. Cella try; O. Priest goal) at Blackbrook Sports & Recreation Club.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Blackbrook 12-0. Referee: Jordan Hughes.

Wests Warriors 24 (S. Ikahihifo 2, T. Gribble, S. Griffiths tries; R. Walker 4 goals) defeated British Army 12 (J. Amachree, D. Jackson tries; M. McDonald 2 goals) at Aldershot Military Stadium.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Wests Warriors 8-0. Referee: Sam Jenkinson.

Thatto Heath Crusaders 78 (A. Carr 2, K. Gilford 2, J. Holroyd 2, L. Kenyon 2, A. Saunders 2, K. Siyani 2, R. Houghton, A. Lea, S. Leicester tries; R. Houghton 9 goals) defeated Seaton Rangers 10 (L. Crossman, J. Tallentire tries; K. Robinson goal) at Crusader Park.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Thatto Heath 44-6. Referee: Thomas Bell.

Sunday 11 January

Aberavon Fighting Irish 32 (I. Allen, J. Davies, R. Evans, C. O'Callaghan, O. Thomas, S. Waldeck tries; S. Waldeck 4 goals) defeated Banbridge Broncos 26 (P. Toeoaana 2, M. Coulter, W. Kelly, J. Sturgeon tries; J. Dunlop 3 goals) at Portadown RFC.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Halftime: Aberavon 28-12. Referee: Tyler Topping-Higson.

Bedford Tigers 36 (J. Hudson-Lett 2, C. Dockerill, H. Higginson, J. Saunders, L. Swindells, B. Thomas tries; J. Brown 4 goals) defeated Medway Dragons 6 (E. Salter try; N. Hardinges goal) at Putnoe Woods.
Kickoff: 2:30 PM. Halftime: Bedford Tigers 14-6. Referee: Oliver Salmon.

Saturday 17 January

Heworth ARLFC def Royal Air Force by forfeit
Scheduled for kickoff: 1:00 PM. Referee appointed was: George Cox.
RAF withdrew from the fixture due to player availability brought about by the previous week's postponement.

London Chargers 38 (J. Catlett 2, J. Allen, J. Briggs, D. Chirnside, C. Flanagan, J. Gordon tries; J. Gordon 5 goals) defeated Telford Raiders 18 (H. Housley, A. Prosser, H. Stokes tries; D. Robinson 3 goals) at The Old Showground.
Kickoff: 1:00 PM. Halftime: London Chargers 14-6. Referee: Sam Houghton.

Lock Lane ARLFC 42 (L. Price 3, K. Cranswick 2, M. Jones, C. Jordan, R. Jowett tries; N. Fozzard 4, C. Jordan goals) defeated Brighouse Rangers 6 (A. Esmond try; K. Frankland goal) at Brighouse Sports Club.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Halftime: Lock Lane 14-6. Referee: Reece Schofield.

Ince Rose Bridge 18 (M. Fillingham, J. Heaton, C. Shaw tries; K. Eccleston 3 goals) defeated Rochdale Mayfield 12 (C. Connolly, R. Hamlett tries; C. Connolly 2 goals) at Mayfield Sports Centre.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Halftime: Ince Rose Bridge 6-0. Referee: Josh Pemberton.

Stanningley ARLFC 24 (D. MacAndrew 2, J. Sykes, J. Vincent tries) defeated Dewsbury Moor 22 (W. Clarkson, L. Edwards, T. Garrick, G. Woodcock tries; G. Woodcock 3 goals) at The Arthur Miller Stadium.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Halftime: Dewsbury Moor 10-0. Referee: Freddie Lincoln.

Mirfield Spartans 38 (J. McCarthy 2, L. Toner 2, K. Morgan, S. Peel, J. Pickering, D. Waterworth tries; D. Waterworth 2, B. Jones goals) defeated Woodhouse Warriors 4 (L. Fowler try) at Buslingthorpe Vale.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Halftime: Mirfield 18-4. Referee: Simeon Quarmby.

West Hull ARLFC 42 (J. Sanderson 3, B. Arbon, E. Jones, S. Rokonalewa, E. Wilkinson tries; E. Wilkinson 7 goals) defeated King Cross Park 12 (J. Speechley 2 tries; C. Dunne 2 goals) at King Cross Park.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: West Hull 24-0. Referee: Joe Stearne.

Wigan St Judes 17 (D. Fallon, J. Hill, B. Turner tries; A. Holt, D. Parkinson goals; D. Parkinson field goal) defeated Leigh Miners Rangers 12 (H. Darby, A. Philbin tries; L. Tyrer, M. Williamson goals) at Parsons Meadow Playing Fields.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Wigan St Judes 6-4. Referee: Liam Breheny.

Sunday 18 January

Waterhead Warriors 22 (L. Barbour, C. Cameron, M. Hobin, C. Robinson tries; J. Hamilton 2, M. Hobin goals) defeated Siddal ARLFC 14 (F. Walker 2, H. Turner tries; H. Williams goal) at Siddal Sports & Community Centre.
Date: Sun, 18th January. Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Halftime: Waterhead 16-6. Referee: Lucas Seal.

 

[League Unlimited News]

Full second round fixtures

Forfeited fixture

Lock Lane ARLFC def Featherstone Rovers*
NOTE: Featherstone Rovers removed from RFL membership, Lock Lane proceeds to Third Round

Saturday 24 January

Heworth ARLFC vs. Keighley Cougars at Elm Park Way.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Referee: Lucas Seal.

Stanningley ARLFC vs. Hunslet RLFC at The Arthur Miller Stadium.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Referee: Josh Pemberton.

Wigan St Judes vs. Barrow Raiders at Parsons Meadow Playing Fields.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Freddie Lincoln.

Ince Rose Bridge vs. Swinton Lions at Ince Rose Bridge Sports and Community Club.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: TBC.

Sheffield Eagles vs. Whitehaven RLFC at Steel City Stadium.
Kickoff: 2:30 PM. Referee: Tara Jones.

Hammersmith Hills Hoists vs. Salford RLFC at Dukes Meadows (Chiswick).
Kickoff: 6:00 PM. Referee: Milo McKelvey.

Sunday 25 January

Thatto Heath Crusaders vs. Widnes Vikings at Crusader Park.
Kickoff: 1:00 PM. Referee: Ryan Cox.

Waterhead Warriors vs. Rochdale Hornets at Manor Park (Oldham RUFC).
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Referee: Kevin Moore.

Batley Bulldogs vs. Hunslet ARLFC at Fox's Biscuits Stadium.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Luke Bland.

Blackbrook ARLFC vs. Workington Town at Blackbrook Sports & Recreation Club.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Adam Williams.

Dewsbury Rams vs. West Hull ARLFC at FLAIR Stadium.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Carl Hughes.

London Broncos vs. Wests Warriors at Athletic Ground (Richmond).
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Aaryn Belafonte.

North Wales Crusaders vs. Bedford Tigers at Eirias Stadium.
Kickoff: 2:30 PM. Referee: Sam Jenkinson.

Halifax Panthers vs. London Chargers at The Shay Stadium.
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Referee: Liam Breheny.

Doncaster RLFC vs. Newcastle Thunder at Eco-Power Stadium.
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Referee: Matty Lynn.

Mirfield Spartans vs. Goole Vikings at Victoria Pleasure Grounds.
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Referee: Jordan Hughes.

Oldham RLFC vs. Orrell St James at Bower Fold.
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Referee: Scott Mikalauskas.

Midlands Hurricanes vs. Aberavon Fighting Irish at Avery Fields.
Kickoff: 5:00 PM. Referee: Matty Clayton.

 

[League Unlimited News]

Saturday 24 January
Keighley Cougars 66 (O. Whitford 4, M. Clarke 3, O. Burton 2, L. Green, D. Proud, J. Schofield, J. Teanby tries; M. Beharrell 7 goals) defeated Heworth ARLFC 0 at Elm Park Way (York).
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Halftime: Keighley 30-0. Penalties: Keighley 3-2. Referee: Lucas Seal.

Hunslet RLFC 44 (M. Agoro 2, C. Nichol 2, C. Berry, M. Dalton-Harrop, H. Hallas, J. Watson tries; B. Jowitt 5, L. Gaskell goals) defeated Stanningley ARLFC 0 at The Arthur Miller Stadium (Stanningley).
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Halftime: Hunslet 16-0. Penalties: Hunslet 7-5. Referee: Josh Pemberton. Crowd: 950.

Swinton Lions 44 (H. Higham 2, L. Roberts 2, E. Anderson, A. Jones, T. Ratchford, G. Rodden tries; J. Stevens 6 goals) defeated Ince Rose Bridge 26 (G. Jones, K. Malone, K. Rodgers, B. Wilson tries; M. Fillingham 5 goals) at Ince Rose Bridge Sports and Community Club (Wigan).
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Ince Rose Bridge 18-12. Penalties: Swinton 10-4. Referee: Denton Arnold. Crowd: 1,017.

Barrow Raiders 76 (E. Archer 2, M. Costello 2, C. Emslie 2, T. Ritson 2, E. Robson 2, L. Broadbent, L. Cresswell, R. King tries; B. Walker 12 goals) defeated Wigan St Judes 4 (D. Morley-Samuels try) at Parsons Meadow Playing Fields (Wigan).
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Barrow 40-4. Penalties: Barrow 8-2. Referee: Freddie Lincoln.

Sheffield Eagles 18 (J. Brown, J. Farrell, C. Fitzsimmons tries; J. Lilley 3 goals) defeated Whitehaven RLFC 6 (C. Walker-Taylor try; C. Walker goal) at Steel City Stadium (Sheffield).
Kickoff: 2:30 PM. Halftime: 6-all. Penalties: Whitehaven 6-5. Referee: Tara Jones. Crowd: 427.

Salford RLFC 42 (J. Hartley 2, S. Hill 2, L. Bardyel-Wells, D. Connolly, B. Dwyer, R. Van Osselaer-Hewitt tries; S. Hill 5 goals) defeated Hammersmith Hills Hoists 10 (C. Corey, W. Jones tries; J. Ryan goal) at Dukes Meadows (Chiswick).
Kickoff: 6:00 PM. Halftime: Salford 28-6. Penalties: Salford 9-5. Referee: Milo McKelvey.

Confirmed third round ties as a result:

Lock Lane vs Hull KR
Swinton Lions vs Wakefield Trinity
Barrow Raiders vs York Knights
Sheffield Eagles vs Warrington Wolves
Salford RLFC vs Hull FC
Hunslet RLFC vs Huddersfield Giants

12 games to come Sunday.

 

[RL The greatest game]

Jason Tilford. This is an interesting challenge cup story with a difference.

The lawyer looking to strike another rugby league win for the south

BY DAY, Jake Tilford ‘stares at a computer’ as a corporate lawyer. Come the weekend, he is helping lead rugby league’s southern push. And a shock verdict on the pitch would go down just nicely – fo…

www.thesun.co.uk

 

[League Unlimited News]

Sunday 25 January
Widnes Vikings 76 (M. Butt 3, N. Connell 2, J. Edge 2, M. Fozard 2, S. Wilde 2, J. Chapelhow, R. Ince, J. Johnstone, J. Owens tries; J. Abdull 8 goals) defeated Thatto Heath Crusaders 0 at Crusader Park (St Helens).
Kickoff: 1:00 PM. Halftime: Widnes 38-0. Penalties: Widnes 9-1. Referee: Ryan Cox. Crowd: 1,400.

Rochdale Hornets 60 (T. Ashton 2, T. Boyd 2, D. Nixon 2, J. Andrade, M. Flanagan, D. Kelly-Duffy, D. Lloyd, B. Metcalfe tries; M. Flanagan 8 goals) defeated Waterhead Warriors 6 (N. Dean try; M. Hobin goal) at Manor Park (Oldham RUFC).
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Halftime: Rochdale 28-6. Penalties: Rochdale 11-8. Referee: Kevin Moore.

Batley Bulldogs 32 (R. Butterworth 3, A. Leak, B. White, J. Woods tries; J. Woods 4 goals) defeated Hunslet ARLFC 10 (L. Bayliss, H. Dodd tries; H. Shackleton goal) at Fox's Biscuits Stadium (Batley).
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Batley 16-0. Penalties: Batley 7-6. Referee: Luke Bland.

Workington Town 28 (B. Leigh 2, A. Donaghy, T. Rawhiti, D. Wear tries; J. Carter 4 goals) defeated Blackbrook ARLFC 6 (D. Moss try; D. Moss goal) at Blackbrook Sports & Recreation Club (St Helens).
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Workington 12-0. Penalties: Workington 8-5. Referee: Adam Williams.

Dewsbury Rams 32 (T. Delaney 2, C. Jordan 2, J. Bateman, B. O'Connor tries; J. Hookem 4 goals) defeated West Hull 10 (B. Arbon, E. Wilkinson tries; E. Wilkinson goal) at FLAIR Stadium (Dewsbury).
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Dewsbury 16-4. Penalties: Dewsbury 8-6. Referee: Carl Hughes.

London Broncos 86 (A. Max 4, L. Tindall 3, M. Morea 2, G. Voro 2, B. Hursey-Hord, E. Kapinias, R. Mathias, M. Stock, E. Wallis tries; J. Meadows 7, G. Voro 3, C. O'Beirne goals) defeated Wests Warriors 0 at Athletic Ground (Richmond).
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: London 28-0. Penalties: London 5-4. Referee: Aaryn Belafonte.

North Wales Crusaders 110 (L. Forber 4, O. Brookes 2, J. Hatton 2, J. Spedding 2, J. Baldwin, C. Barratt, J. Eaves, G. Eden, B. England, J. Gibson, P. Moran, C. Oakley, A. Robinson tries; D. Patton 17 goals) defeated Bedford Tigers 0 at Eirias Stadium (Colwyn Bay).
Kickoff: 2:30 PM. Halftime: North Wales 56-0. Penalties: North Wales 7-0. Referee: Sam Jenkinson. Crowd: 289.

Doncaster RLFC 24 (L. Briscoe, T. Holmes, L. Johnson, P. Pauli tries; C. Robinson 4 goals) defeated Newcastle Thunder 22 (A. Djeukessi, R. Jackson, T. Pemberton, W. Roberts tries; C. Hunter 3 goals) at Eco-Power Stadium (Doncaster).
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Halftime: 16-all. Penalties: Doncaster 6-4. Referee: Matthew Lynn. Crowd: 843.

Halifax Panthers 88 (A. Johnson 3, B. Day 2, M. Lawford 2, O. McCarron 2, W. Calcott, D. Carter, C. Graham, D. Nofoaluma, J. Soric, B. Tibbs, T. Zenon tries; M. Lawford 11, T. Zenon goals) defeated London Chargers 0 at The Shay Stadium.
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Halftime: Halifax 50-0. Penalties: London Chargers 4-2. Referee: Liam Breheny. Crowd: 676.

Goole Vikings 58 (N. Staveley 2, S. Tuohey 2, C. Barley, M. Harman, B. Hodder, C. Howlett, O. Morgan, C. Shaw, K. Tomlinson tries; J. Miller 7 goals) defeated Mirfield Spartans 4 (L. Toner try) at Victoria Pleasure Grounds.
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Halftime: Goole 24-4. Penalties: 7-all. Referee: Jordan Hughes.

Oldham RLFC 58 (K. Dixon 4, R. Dean 2, M. Smith 2, T. Nisbet, B. O'Keefe, J. Walker tries; K. Dixon 7 goals) defeated Orrell St James 0 at Bower Fold.
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Halftime: Oldham 32-0. Penalties: Orrell St James 7-5. Referee: Scott Mikalauskas. Crowd: 671.

Midlands Hurricanes 110 (O. Restall 5, R. Johnson 4, L. Else 2, S. Medforth 2, T. Warren 2, T. Horner, J. Kirby, B. Moore, O. Roberts, A. Roden tries; S. Medforth 14, C. Tyrer goals) defeated Aberavon Fighting Irish 0 at Avery Fields.
Kickoff: 5:00 PM. Halftime: Midlands 58-0. Penalties: Midlands 10-4. Referee: Matty Clayton. Crowd: 200.

Third Round
Ties to be played Feb 6/7/8
13 clubs enter - Super League clubs minus Toulouse Olympique.
Draw conducted 12 Jan 2026.

Friday 6 February
Workington Town vs. St Helens at Fibrus Community Stadium. Kickoff: 7:30 PM.
Lock Lane vs. Hull KR at Sewell Group Craven Park. Kickoff: 8:00 PM.

Sunday 8 February
London Broncos vs. Bradford Bulls at Cherry Red Records Stadium. Kickoff: 3:00 PM.
Rochdale Hornets vs. Wigan Warriors at Crown Oil Arena. Kickoff: 3:00 PM.

Scheduling TBC
Barrow Raiders vs. York Knights at Northern Competitions Stadium.
Batley Bulldogs vs. Catalans Dragons at Fox's Biscuits Stadium
Doncaster RLFC vs. Castleford Tigers at Eco-Power Stadium.
Halifax Panthers vs. Goole Vikings at The Shay Stadium.
Hunslet RLFC vs. Huddersfield Giants at South Leeds Stadium.
Keighley Cougars vs. Midlands Hurricanes at Cougar Park.
North Wales Crusaders vs. Leigh Leopards at Eirias Stadium.
Oldham RLFC vs. Dewsbury Rams at Bower Fold.
alford RLFC vs. Hull FC at CorpAcq Stadium.
Sheffield Eagles vs. Warrington Wolves at Steel City Stadium.
Swinton Lions vs. Wakefield Trinity at Morson Stadium.
Widnes Vikings vs. Leeds Rhinos at DCBL Stadium.