Challenge Cup round-up: Amateur sides bow out, Butt scores four, York snatch win at London

James Messenger

Here’s a round up of what happened in Round Four of the Challenge Cup. 

Leigh were the first team to book their place in the fifth round with a comfortable 36-10 victory over Batley.

Liam Hood, Danny Addy and Iain Thornley (2) all scored for the Centurions in the first half, before Ben Hellewell and Adam Higson crossed after the break. In response, the Bulldogs could only muster a try in each half through Tyler Dupree and George Senior.

Sheffield avenged their league defeat to Halifax at the start of the month as Oliver Davies’ late try helped them progress to the next round of the competition.

Davies grabbed a brace, while there were further tries in each half from Joel Farrell and Josh Guzdek. Matt Garside, Paul Brearley, Jodie Broughton and Jacob Fairbank all scored for Fax, but it was Steve Tyrer’s 25% conversion success which proved to be the difference.

Another Championship side booking their place in the next round on Saturday were Featherstone, who edged past Barrow 18-16.

Dean Parata’s try and Craig Hall’s 10-point haul looked to have set Rovers on course for victory, before Jordan Walne’s try on 72 minutes gave the visitors the lead. Nevertheless, Gareth Gale’s converted score four minutes later proved to be the match-winner.

Two amateur sides also bowed out of the fourth round on Saturday afternoon, with Siddal losing 30-10 at home to Newcastle, while Swinton produced a 56-0 rout of Leigh Miners Rangers.

Sam Blake and Mikey Wood both crossed twice for Thunder in their win, while Mike Butt scored four of Swinton’s 11 tries at Heywood Road.

Bradford also progressed with a 22-0 win against Underbank Rangers. 

Adam Rooks, George Flanagan and Levy Nzoungou all scored in the first half, before Rowan Milnes saw off stubborn opposition five minutes from time.

Hunslet booked their place in the next round as two tries from Dominic Brambani helped them to a 22-18 win over North Wales, who had been leading 18-10 prior to Earl Hurst’s yellow card 15 minutes from the end.

York snatched victory away at London in a dramatic meeting at Ealing Trailfinders.

Jimmy Keinhorst scored the decisive try for the visitors in the final minute to level the scores at 22-22, before Connor Robinson’s conversion sealed the win. The Broncos had outscored the Knights by five tries to four, but Cory Aston crucially only converted one from five.

Rochdale advanced to the next round with a comprehensive 54-10 win over the British Army. Ben Calland scored a hat-trick for the hosts, with Jamie Tracey also crossing twice.

Widnes put last week’s defeat to London behind them with a 54-10 hammering of Oldham at the DCLB Stadium.

Jack Johnson and Sam Wilde both crossed as the Vikings ran in nine tries. Roughyeds only got on the scoreboard in the second half thanks to tries from Dan Abram and Danny Langtree.

In the final result of the round, Workington ensured their name would be in the hat for the next round after coming from behind to beat Doncaster.

A Jason Tali double looked to have set Doncaster on their way, but second half scores from Blain Marwood, Jamie Doran and Elliott Hall secured the win for the hosts.

The only other tie of the fourth round between Whitehaven and Dewsbury was postponed after the Recreation Ground was deemed unplayable following pitch inspection.

Challenge Cup Fourth Round Results:

Bradford Bulls 22-0 Underbank Rangers

Featherstone Rovers 18-16 Barrow Raiders

North Wales Crusaders 18-22 Hunslet

Leigh Centurions 36-10 Batley Bulldogs

London Broncos 22-24 York City Knights

Rochdale Hornets 54-10 British Army

Sheffield Eagles 20-18 Halifax

Siddal 10-30 Newcastle Thunder

Swinton Lions 56-0 Leigh Miners Rangers

Whitehaven P-P Dewsbury Rams

Widnes Vikings 52-12 Oldham

Workington Town 22-12 Doncaster Rovers


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