Three top ties in the Betfred Challenge Cup Round Two
Following the results of the first-round, here are three top ties coming up in the second round of the Betfred Challenge Cup.
With the Men’s Betfred Challenge Cup Round Two fixtures confirmed, we take a look at three top ties heading into the second round (to be played on 27 and 28 January).
There was little to separate most sides in the first round, with the competition looking to be one of the most open ones yet – as the Round One winners join ten clubs from the National Conference League in Round Two.
Leigh Miners Rangers v Stanningley
Leigh Miners Rangers will host Ashton Golding’s Stanningley on home turf in what is set to be an exhilarating contest, as they enter this year’s competition for the first time on Saturday. This match is set to be shown live on BBC iPlayer, as BBC Sport continues its live coverage of the 2024 competition.
It is also set to be a special day at Twist Lane for another reason, as past players from both Leigh Miners and the town’s professional club, Leigh Leopards, will come together to remember the 1979 Challenge Cup match between the two sides – a first round clash almost 45 years to the day.
Community club Rangers currently compete in the Premier Division of the National Conference League and are no strangers to a decent cup run. But they bowed out of the competition in the third round last year following defeat to fellow league opponents Rochdale Mayfield.
Most memorably however, fans will remember their extremely successful cup stint back in 2015, when the Rangers unexpectedly and impressively reached the fifth round of the Challenge Cup – a round which included four Betfred Super League sides. Championship outfit York proved to be too strong for them in the end, but this historic moment highlights that a community club has the potential to progress far in the Challenge Cup competition.
Their Round Two opposition this time around will be Stanningley – a team who managed to reach the third round of the last year’s Challenge Cup, following convincing wins over Milford and Fryston. And in Round One this year, favourites Stanningley proved too hot to handle for debutants South Wales Jets, as enjoyed an emphatic 40-4 win in front of a home crowd.
This time they have to travel for their tie, but with a cup win already firmly accomplished, which team will come out on top?
Hammersmith Hills Hoists v West Bowling
Hammersmith will host West Bowling in another home tie – and this weekend will mark a historic achievement for their Club, as it is the first time the London side have ever reached a Challenge Cup second round.
They beat Medway Dragons comfortably 56-6 in the first round but will have a tough test against West Bowling – who also triumphed in Round One, with a 34-22 against a spirited Oulton Raiders outfit; their first away win there in four years.
Where the cup is concerned, West Bowling have enjoyed better luck, and have reached the third round three times recently, including last year before losing to York. Old foes are also set to be reunited this weekend, as Hammersmith and West Bowling have previously played each other in the 2019 Challenge Cup - the only time the two sides have ever met.
As both teams already have a cup game under their belt heading into this game, this Challenge Cup tie promises to be an enticing watch, with Hammersmith aiming to continue their record-breaking run, and West Bowling determined to equal last year’s cup stint and reach the next round.
Royal Navy v Thatto Heath Crusaders
Elsewhere, Navy are left to fly the Forces’ flag following the British Army and Royal Air Force’s exits early on. The British Army were narrowly defeated 13-10 at the home of Fryston Warriors – who are the leading Yorkshire Men’s League side, whilst the Royal Air Force fell short to a strong Navy side.
In the match at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, the Navy faced the Royal Air Force for the first time and a period of domination in the second half and match-clinching try would result in 28-22.
The Crusaders, on the other hand, will enter the second round fresh and raring to go, and both teams share something in common going into this cup tie. Both Royal Navy and Thatto Heath were beaten by North Wales Crusaders in the Challenge Cup competition last year, with Navy defeated in the second round, and Thatto Heath falling short in the third.
Only one of them can make the third round next weekend, but who will emerge victorious?
The Betfred Challenge Cup Round Two fixture list in full:
As with Round One, BBC Sport has selected one tie from Round Two to be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website and app, which will be Leigh Miners Rangers v Stanningley (Saturday 27 January). The Sportsman will also continue to follow the fortunes of Orrell St James who, having defeated Haresfinch in front of the cameras in Round One, take on York Acorn in the other Roses clash (Sunday 28 January).
The 10 Round 2 winners be joined at Round 3 by 22 semi-professional clubs from the Betfred Championship and Betfred League One, with ties taking place over the weekend of 10/11 February. Widnes Vikings, 40 years on from their 1984 Wembley triumph, will host the draw for Rounds 3 and 4 of the competition on Monday 29 January at 6.30pm. This will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer.
The Men's 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup Final 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 and AB Sundecks 1895 Cup. Tickets are available online now from only £15 Adults and £7.50 Under 16s, with family packages also available starting from just £18.75 for one Adult and two Under 16s.
