Challenge Cup 2025

[Perth Red]

Rd 1 draw

• West Hull vs Edinburgh Eagles
• London Chargers vs Oulton Raiders
• Longhorns vs Ince Rose Bridge
• Lock Lane vs Doncaster Toll Bar
• Hammersmith Hills Hoists vs Siddal
• Waterhead Warriors vs Leigh Miners Rangers
• GB Police vs York Acorn
• Aberavon Fighting Irish vs Blackbrook
• Mirfield vs Royal Navy
• Crosfields vs Maryport
• British Army vs Royal Air Force
• Stanley Rangers vs Hunslet ARLFC
• West Bowling vs Wath Brow Hornets*
• Dewsbury Moor vs Haresfinch
• Eastern Rhinos vs West Warriors
• Rochdale Mayfield vs Telford Raiders
• Thatto Heath vs Orrell St James

 

[Perth Red]

Leading amateur club Wath Brow Hornets have withdrawn from this year’s Challenge Cup days before the opening round of the 2025 competition.

The Cumbrian club were due to travel to Bradford this weekend to face fellow National Conference side West Bowling in an intriguing-looking Round One tie.

However, Wath Brow have now told the Rugby Football League that they will not be able to fulfil the fixture. Love Rugby League has had confirmation from the governing body that the club have pulled out of the tie against West Bowling, with concerns over player safety believed to be behind the decision according to League Express.

It is a blow for the competition and creates a real headache for the RFL in the week the competition is due to begin.

Love Rugby League understands all options will now be considered about what happens next. That could include drafting in alternative opposition who were not initially entered into the Challenge Cup this year to face Bowling, though it remains unclear who that would be.

The more straightforward – and likely – option would be Bowling getting a walkover and a bye through to the Second Round. They would then face Championship heavyweights Sheffield Eagles.

Wath Brow made it all the way to the Fourth Round in 2024, before losing out to fellow amateur club York Acorn and missing out on a tie against Halifax Panthers in the Fifth Round.

But their participation in the cup this year is over before it has even begun, after they informed the RFL over the weekend they would not be fulfilling their tie in the sport’s most prestigious competition.

RFL Challenge Cup suffers major blow as club withdraws from competition

Leading amateur club Wath Brow Hornets have withdrawn from this year's Challenge Cup days before the opening round of the 2025 competition.

www.loverugbyleague.com

 

[Perth Red]

The RFL have confirmed a replacement team for this weekend's Challenge Cup first round, with Castleford-based club Cutsyke Raiders of the Pennine League now set to take on Bradford outfit West Bowling.

The Raiders replace National Conference League side Wath Brow Hornets, who pulled out of the competition after raising their concerns over player welfare. The club said the early-January ties give community clubs a 'lack of preparation' due to a mandatory non-contact period in the off-season. The rules have been lifted for participating Challenge Cup clubs, with the Cumbrian outfit airing their views in a statement.
Meanwhile, Cutsyke as a Pennine League outfit, are a winter team and are therefore not subject to such restrictions. They have accepted an offer from the RFL to enter the Challenge Cup and will now take on West Bowling at Horsfall Stadium in Bradford. The winners of the first round tie will take on Sheffield Eagles in round two.
xplaining the situation in full, Marc Lovering, the RFL's director of development, has posted a statement, confirming that the participating clubs had an exemption period. He said: “We are grateful to Cutsyke Raiders for accepting this late opportunity to play in the Challenge Cup and for the help of Sue Taylor MBE in facilitating.
"Those community clubs who accepted the invitation to play in the Challenge Cup back in October were granted an exemption from the usual mandated non-contact period to begin training earlier once the players had had a 4-6 week break following the end of their 2024 commitments. As a Pennine League club taking part in the winter season, Cutsyke did not need such an exemption.
"We also thank West Bowling for their cooperation. They have gone to great lengths to secure the availability of the all-weather surface of the Horsfall Community Stadium this Saturday and have rightly pointed out that a bye through the first round would have left them with the daunting task of kicking off their season against semi-professional opposition, as the winners of this first round tie have been drawn away to Sheffield Eagles in round two. Now that is the incentive for both West Bowling and Cutsyke, the opportunity to take on the 1998 Challenge Cup winners at the end of this month."

RFL confirm Challenge Cup replacement team as withdrawal also explained

The RFL have confirmed a new team will play in the Challenge Cup.

www.hulldailymail.co.uk

 

[RL The greatest game]

Are the RFL still wanting a fee from the Catalan Dragons and Toulouse to enter the Challenge as in recent years?

 

[Perth Red]

Are the RFL still wanting a fee from the Catalan Dragons and Toulouse to enter the Challenge as in recent years?

Its a bond not a fee, in case they get to the final and it is intended to cover the shortfall of 15-20k fans not buying tickets. But yes I believe the bond is still in place, though there has been no mention of it since 2019. It's ridiculous and shows how financially inept the RFL are.

 

[League Unlimited News]

Catalans have chosen to be involved, while Toulouse have opted out again.

The weather has forced 12 postponements, only 5 ties going ahead this Sat/Sun.

Saturday 11 January​

British Army v Royal Air Force
at The Army Rugby Military Stadium, Aldershot
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Carl Hughes

Longhorn v Ince Rose Bridge
at Pinfold Street, Wigan
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Reece Schofield.

Hammersmith Hills Hoists v Siddal
at Dukes Meadows, Chiswick
Kickoff: 5:00 PM. Referee: Sam Jenkinson.

Sunday 12 January​

Aberavon Fighting Irish v Blackbrook
at Vivian Park, Port Talbot
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Referee: Kristoff Young.

Eastern Rhinos v Wests Warriors
at Northern Gateway Sports Park, Colchester
Kickoff: 2:30 PM. Referee: Henry Winnard.

Due to inclement weather, several fixtures scheduled for 11-12 January were postponed from their initial matchdays. They have been shifted one week later per the below:

Saturday 18 January​

Waterhead Warriors v Leigh Miners Rangers
at Waterhead Park, Oldham
Kickoff: 12:30 PM. Referee: Adam Williams.
Broadcast live on BBC.

Crosfields v Maryport
at Hood Lane Recreation Ground, Warrington
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Lewis O'Brien.

West Hull v Edinburgh Eagles
at Johnny Whiteley Park, Kingston-upon-Hull
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Oliver Salmon.

West Bowling v Cutsyke Raiders
at Horsfall Stadium, Bradford
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Sam Houghton.
NOTE: West Bowling were initially drawn to host Wath Brow Hornets in this fixture, however it was confirmed on 6 Jan 2025 that the Hornets withdrew from the Cup, citing training rule concerns and a lack of preparation. Leading the Pennine League Division One table at the time, the RFL invited Cutsyke to fill the void at short notice.

Dewsbury Moor v Haresfinch
at Dewsbury Moor Sports Club, Dewsbury
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Matty Clayton.

Lock Lane v Doncaster Toll Bar
at Lock Lane Sports Centre, Castleford
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Liam Grundy.

Mirfield v Royal Navy
at Frank Middleton Park, Slipper Lane, Mirfield
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: TBC

Rochdale Mayfield v Telford Raiders
at Mayfield Sports Centre, Castleton
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Josh Pemberton.

Stanley Rangers v Hunslet ARLFC
at Stanley Sports and Social Club, Stanley
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: TBC.

London Chargers v Oulton Raiders
at Dukes Meadows, Chiswick
Kickoff: 2:30 PM. Referee: Milo McKelvey.

Sunday 19 January​

GB Police v York Acorn
at Scholes Lane, St Helens
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Referee: Tara Jones.

Thatto Heath Crusaders v Orrell St James
at Crusader Park, St Helens. Referee: Callum Murphy.
Kickoff: 2:30 PM. Broadcast live on The Sportsman Rugby League (YouTube)

2025 Betfred Challenge Cup » League Unlimited

leagueunlimited.com

 

[League Unlimited News]

All bar Hoists-Siddal were called off for Saturday in the end. Siddal won through 18-4 and will face Midlands Hurricanes in Birmingham in second round.

Two games still on for Sunday at this stage.

 

[League Unlimited News]

Saturday 11 January​

Siddal ARLFC 18 (O. Lewis, H. Turner, H. Milnes tries; L. Hosty 3 goals) defeated Hammersmith Hills Hoists 4 (J. Russell try) at Dukes Meadows, Chiswick.

Sunday 12 January​

Blackbrook ARLFC 32 (L. Marsh, P. Nash, K. Park, C. Tunstall, L. Ward, J. Wilson tries; K. Park 4 goals) defeated Aberavon Fighting Irish 16 (L. Francis, K. John tries; R. Pugh 4 goals) at Vivian Park, Port Talbot.

Wests Warriors 66 (J. Payne 3, R. Walker 3, T. Johnson-Thomas 2, W. Poching 2, P. McCullough, H. Nichols tries; R. Walker 9 goals) defeated Eastern Rhinos 4 (A. Toomey try) at Northern Gateway Sports Park, Colchester.

 

[Perth Red]

Rd3 Draw

 

[League Unlimited News]

 

[League Unlimited News]

Sunday results

York Acorn 52 (B. Husband 3, C. Shepherdson 2, J. Thompson 2, J. Green, G. Hunt, J. Parker tries; N. Conroy 6 goals) defeated British Police 4 (J. Tate try) at Scholes Lane, St Helens.
Kickoff: 1:30 PM. Halftime: York Acorn 18-0. Referee: Tara Jones.

Thatto Heath 28 (K. Gilford 2, O. Owens, A. Saunders, K. Siyani tries; R. Houghton 3, S. Leicester goals) defeated Orrell St James 24 (S. Lewis 2, C. Taylor 2 tries; B. Calland 4 goals) at Crusader Park, St Helens.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Thatto Heath 24-6. Referee: Alan Billington.

2025 Betfred Challenge Cup » League Unlimited

leagueunlimited.com

---

Second round fixture list for this weekend

Saturday 25 January​

London Broncos v Goole Vikings
at The Rock, Rosslyn Park RUFC, Roehampton
Kickoff: 12:30 PM. Referee: Ryan Cox.
Broadcast LIVE on BBC Sport

York Acorn v Oulton Raiders
at Acorn Sports & Social Club, York
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Jordan Hughes.

Dewsbury Moor v Dewsbury Rams
at Fox's Biscuit Stadium, Batley
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Aaryn Belfaonte.

Lock Lane v Hunslet RLFC
at Oak Electrical Community Sports Complex, Lock Lane, Castleford
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Referee: Carl Hughes.

Waterhead Warriors v Featherstone Rovers
at Waterhead Park, Oldham
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Alan Billington.

Wests Warriors v British Army
at Twyford Avenue Sports Ground, Acton
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Referee: Milo McKelvey.

Hunslet ARLFC v West Hull
at The Oval, Hunslet
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Sam Jenkinson.

Whitehaven v Swinton Lions
at The Ortus REC, Whitehaven
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Referee: Referee: Scott Mikalauskas.

Sunday 26 January​

Oldham v Rochdale Mayfield
at Boundary Park, Oldham
Kickoff: 12:30 PM. Referee: Warren Turley.

Royal Navy v Workington Town
at United Services Ground, Portsmouth
Kickoff: 1:00 PM. Referee: Josh Pemberton.
Broadcast live on BFBS - British Forces Broadcasting Service

Blackbrook v Ince Rose Bridge
at Blackbrook Sports and Recreation Club, St Helens
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Matty Clayton.

Midlands Hurricanes v Siddal ARLFC
at Alexander Stadium, Birimingham.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Referee: Kevin Moore.

Cornwall v North Wales Crusaders
at Memorial Ground, Penryn
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Referee: Adam Williams.

Barrow Raiders v Crosfields
at Northern Competitions Stadium, Barrow-in-Furness
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Referee: Sam Houghton.

Sheffield Eagles v West Bowling
at Olympic Legacy Park, Sheffield
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Referee: Andy Sweet.

Newcastle Thunder v Batley Bulldogs
at Crow Trees, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Referee: Tara Jones.

Rochdale Hornets v Widnes Vikings
at Crown Oil Arena, Rochdale
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Referee: Matty Lynn.

Halifax Panthers v Thatto Heath Crusaders
at The Shay Stadium, Halifax
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Referee: Denton Arnold.

Bradford Bulls v Doncaster
at Bartercard Odsal Stadium, Bradford
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Referee: Cameron Worsley.

Sunday 2 February​

Keighley Cougars v York Knights*
at Cougar Park, Keighley. Kickoff: 3:00 PM.
Broadcast live on The Sportsman YouTube
Note: scheduled a week later, due to York playing a friendly in Amsterdam during Second Round matchday.

 

[Perth Red]

Big upset in the cup. Pretty embarrassing for London!

 

[League Unlimited News]

Second Round results:

2025 Betfred Challenge Cup » League Unlimited

leagueunlimited.com

Saturday 25 January​

Goole 17 (T. Halliday, M. Harman, T. Minns tries; R. Dean 2 goals; R. Dean field goal) defeated London 10 (S. Adebiyi, C. O'Beirne tries; C. O'Beirne goal) at Rosslyn Park.
Kickoff: 12:30 PM. Halftime: London 10-6. Referee: Ryan Cox.

Dewsbury 50 (D. Coates 2, J. Summers 2, T. Brierley, L. Collinson, M. Garside, J. Hookem, C. Jordan tries; J. Hookem 7 goals) defeated Dewsbury Moor 6 (J. Clarkson try; G. Colbridge goal) at Fox's Biscuits Stadium.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Dewsbury 32-0. Referee: Aaryn Belafonte. Crowd: 1,252.

West Hull 24 (B. Arbon 2, J. Moore, H. Trulson tries; J. Townend 3, J. Hampshire goals) defeated Hunslet ARLFC 18 (W. Cohen 2, N. Smith 2 tries; J. Gale goal) at The Oval (Hunslet).
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: West Hull 12-10. Referee: Sam Jenkinson.

Hunslet 50 (M. Beharrell 2, L. Hanneghan 2, M. Scurr 2, N. Booth, J. Watson, E. Wood tries; M. Beharrell 7 goals) defeated Lock Lane 10 (C. Wilson, B. Worsley tries; N. Fozzard goal) at Lock Lane Sports Centre.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Hunslet 26-0. Referee: Carl Hughes.

Featherstone 88 (J. Hatton 3, C. Wynne 3, S. Akauola 2, C. Turner 2, C. Aekins, T. Boothroyd, B. O'Connor, C. Tuimavave, C. Webb, J. Williams tries; B. Reynolds 12 goals) defeated Waterhead 10 (K. Brennan 2 tries; J. Hamilton goal) at Waterhead Park.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Featherstone 46-4. Referee: Alan Billington.

Wests Warriors 36 (P. McCullough 2, L. Robinson 2, M. Greenhalgh, M. Hammad, W. Poching tries; R. Walker 4 goals) defeated British Army 18 (F. Kelly, C. McDonald, J. Nukuse tries; M. McDonald 3 goals) at Twyford Avenue Sports Ground.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Wests Warriors 22-12. Referee: Milo McKelvey.

York Acorn 22 (N. Conroy, R. Gallacher, E. Prescott tries; N. Conroy 5 goals) defeated Oulton 2 (J. Perkins goal) at Thanet Road.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Oulton 2-0. Referee: Jordan Hughes.

Whitehaven 24 (J. Blinkhorn, J. Kellett, M. Lewthwaite, M. Todd tries; K. Tyrer 4 goals) defeated Swinton 12 (A. Lynch 2 tries; D. Abram, R. Briers goals) at The Ortus REC.
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Halftime: Swinton 12-0. Referee: Scott Mikalauskas. Crowd: 908.

Sunday 26 January​

Oldham 60 (M. Agoro 5, K. Dixon 2, I. Thornley 2, T. Chapelhow, J. Drinkwater, J. Sambou tries; K. Dixon 6 goals) defeated Rochdale Mayfield 10 (I. Higgs, B. Metcalfe tries; C. Connolly goal) at Boundary Park.
Kickoff: 12:30 PM. Halftime: Oldham 26-4. Referee: Warren Turley. Crowd: 1,032.

Workington 56 (J. Hutton 3, R. Corkill 2, J. Doran, W. Evans, N. High, C. Howlett, C. Phillips, J. Stephenson tries; C. Walker 6 goals) defeated Navy 0 at Victory Stadium.
Kickoff: 1:00 PM. Halftime: Workington 30-0. Referee: Josh Pemberton.

Ince Rose Bridge 34 (C. Hughes 2, K. Malone 2, K. Murphy, P. Valentine, R. Valentine tries; R. Valentine 2, P. Valentine goals) defeated Blackbrook 12 (C. Tunstall, J. Wilson tries; K. Parr 2 goals) at Blackbrook Sports & Recreation Club.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Ince Rose Bridge 14-6. Referee: Matty Clayton.

Midlands 46 (D. Barcoe, M. Chrimes, E. Hobson, T. Horner, A. Roden, J. Sweeting, T. Wilkinson, A. Willis tries; J. Sweeting 7 goals) defeated Siddal 0 at Alexander Stadium.
Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Midlands 18-0. Referee: Kevin Moore.

Barrow 86 (C. Teare 3, S. Toal 3, A. Bulman 2, E. Robson 2, R. Johnston, R. King, R. Silva, B. Walker, T. Wilkinson, J. Wood tries; B. Walker 11 goals) defeated Crosfields 6 (J. Williams try; B. Stanway goal) at Northern Competitions Stadium.
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Halftime: Barrow 38-0. Referee: Sam Houghton. Crowd: 849.

Bradford 30 (J. Donaldson, Z. Fulton, K. Gill, T. Holmes, J. Keyes tries; J. Lilley 3, J. Keyes 2 goals) defeated Doncaster 4 (G. Burns try) at Bartercard Odsal Stadium.
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Halftime: Bradford 16-4. Referee: Cameron Worsley.

North Wales 52 (O. Brookes 4, K. Taylor 3, L. Roby 2, C. Oakley, J. Spedding tries; L. Roby 3, J. Dallimore goals) defeated Cornwall 0 at Memorial Ground (Cornwall).
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Halftime: North Wales 14-0. Referee: Adam Williams.

Halifax 48 (B. Tibbs 3, B. Crooks 2, C. Graham, J. Hansen, Z. McComb, J. Saltonstall tries; L. Jouffret 6 goals) defeated Thatto Heath 6 (M. Dudley try; S. Leicester goal) at The Shay Stadium.
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Halftime: Halifax 22-6. Referee: Denton Arnold. Crowd: 743.

Batley 54 (R. Butterworth 2, A. Dean 2, J. Brown, J. Burton, B. Moore, J. Parsons, M. Ward, B. White tries; J. Woods 7 goals) defeated Newcastle 0 at Crow Trees.
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Halftime: Batley 26-0. Referee: Tara Jones.

Widnes 34 (R. Williams 2, J. Edge, L. Hall, D. Langtree, R. Lloyd tries; T. Gilmore 5 goals) defeated Rochdale 16 (L. Forber, G. McNally, B. Will tries; M. Ridyard 2 goals) at Crown Oil Arena.
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Halftime: Widnes 16-0. Referee: Matthew Lynn.

Sheffield 62 (J. Glover 3, M. Dawson-Jones 2, J. Farrell 2, O. Roberts 2, J. Bussey, B. Jones-Bishop tries; C. Aston 9 goals) defeated West Bowling 0 at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Stadium.
Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Halftime: Sheffield 16-0. Referee: Andy Sweet. Crowd: 518.

STILL TO PLAY: Sunday 2 February​

Keighley Cougars v York Knights*
at Cougar Park, Keighley. Kickoff: 3:00 PM.
Broadcast live on The Sportsman YouTube
Note: scheduled a week later, due to York playing a friendly in Amsterdam during Second Round matchday.

 

[League Unlimited News]

Third round draw now with most games known

Ties to be played February 8/9

Goole Vikings v Wakefield Trinity
at Victoria Pleasure Grounds

York Acorn v Hull FC
at Acorn Sports Club

Bradford Bulls v Castleford Tigers
at Bartercard Odsal Stadium

Hunslet RLFC v Huddersfield Giants
at South Leeds Stadium

Wests Warriors v Leeds Rhinos
at Twyford Avenue

Halifax Panthers v Catalans Dragons
at The Shay Stadium

West Hull v St Helens
at Johnny Whiteley Park

Workington Town v Leigh Leopards
at Fibrus Community Stadium

Midlands Hurricanes v Salford Red Devils
at Alexander Stadium

Whitehaven v Warrington Wolves
at The Ortus REC

Keighley Cougars OR York
v Hull KR
at Venue TBC

Sheffield Eagles v Wigan Warriors
at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park

Oldham v Barrow Raiders
at Boundary Park

Batley Bulldogs v Dewsbury Rams
at Fox's Biscuits Stadium

North Wales Crusaders v Widnes Vikings
at Stadiwm CSM

Featherstone Rovers v Ince Rose Bridge
at Millennium Stadium