Challenge Cup Round-up

Sheffield gave Hull KR an almighty scare while St Helens brushed aside the Catalan Dragons to progress into the Quarter Finals of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

Sunday:

Sheffield gave Hull KR an almighty scare while St Helens brushed aside the Catalan Dragons to progress into the Quarter Finals of the Carnegie Challenge Cup. 

It was a thriller at Hull KR with Sheffield coming back before finally succumbing to a 34-24 loss late on in the game.

Elsewhere St Helens put their recent poor form in Super League to cruise into the next round with a comprehensive 42-8 win at Knowsley Road against Catalans. 

Salford travelled to Batley and showed little mercy as they ran out 4-66 winners, while Rochdale went out at Huddersfield with a respectful 38-12 score line.

Warrington also strolled into the Quarter Finals to set up an enticing game against Hull KR by beating Featherstone 8-56.

Saturday:

Brent Sherwin sent Castleford through into the Quarter-Finals in the Carnegie Challenge Cup with an extra-time drop goal – the first ever in the history of the trophy – which was slotted over from 40 metres out.

Halifax matched their West Yorkshire rivals toe-for-toe during the game, and at 30-22 looked to be out of it. But two converted tries from Bob Beswick put the away side in front, only to be pegged back with three minutes remaining by Sherwin’s try.

Lee Paterson gave the Championship side the lead with a penalty, and that was further extended when Sean Penkywicz‘s kick was converted by Shad Royston.

Castleford squared things up with Ryan McGoldrick scoring, but Halifax put their noses back in front again when Paterson added another penalty.

But Castleford showed their Super League class when Michael Shenton scored, and despite another Paterson penalty, the Tigers went in at half-time with a four point advantage thanks to James Evans‘ try.

The second half, however, exploded into life and Halifax were rocked inside two minutes of the restart when former Tiger Dwayne Barker scored to give ‘Fax a 16-12 lead.

And they were firmly in the ascendency when Beswick scored the first of his hat-trick after 47 minutes.

Three tries in eight minutes from the Tigers showed their Super League class, Kirk Dixon, Rangi Chase and McGoldrick grabbing his second of the game to put Cas in front.

But Beswick’s late double equalled things up once more, and with minutes remaining Lee Paterson missed a drop goal attempt.

That sent the tie into ‘Golden Point’, and within the first set of six, Sherwin converted a drop goal attempt in style to send Terry Matterson’s men into the next round.

In the other tie today, Gateshead booked their place in the Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals for the first time in their history, overcoming Championship 1 side Oldham at Darlington’s Northern Echo Arena.

Thunder scored five second-half tries as Steve McCormack – his first game in charge of the club – saw his side win the game with ease as second-row Michael Knowles racked up a personal 14-point haul.

Oldham took a 6-0 lead after just twelve minutes, Tommy Goulden crossing. But Thunder hit back just after the midway point, Michael Knowles scoring Thunder’s first try, but he failed to convert his own effort.

And that was how the scoreline remained for the first half, but the game exploded into life in the second forty.

Tries from Luke Branighan, Matt Barron, Stewart Sanderson and Ben McAlpine in a blistering 12-minute spell, all converted by Knowles gave them a commanding 28-6 lead.

And despite a resilient fightback from the away side, Danny Halliwell and David Allen scoring tries, Gateshead booked their place against potential Super League opposition with Luke Branighan scoring his second try of the game.