Challenge Cup: Widnes run in 80 and Midlands Hurricanes survive scare

Widnes ran in 15 tries during their Challenge Cup third round victory over Wests Warriors, while Midlands Hurricanes survived a potential upset in Orrell. 

Having originally drawn a home game, back-to-back Southern Conference League Championship Wests Warriors agreed to travel to the DCBL Stadium to face Widnes in the rain pouring. 

And despite their best efforts, the London-based side fell to a 80-4 defeat to the Championship outfit.

Full-back Blake Nahu scoring the visitor’s only try of the afternoon, much to the delight of the travelling supporters in the stands.

Wales international Ant Walker was among the try-scorers on his 150th career appearance.

On the wing, Ollie Brookes returned from injury for his first appearance of the season and crossed for a brace.

Other tries coming from Joe Edge (2), Brad Holroyd (2), Callum Field, Aaron Brown (2), Olly Davies, Matt Fleming (2) and Ryan Ince (2).

Elsewhere in the Challenge Cup

Hunslet ALRFC were the first to secure their spot in the fourth round of the prestigious competition. The National Conference League Premier Division side defeating Westgate Common 15-12 away from home.

Having defeated League 1’s Cornwall in the previous round, Rochdale Mayfield claimed their place in the hat for the next round with a 38-10 win over Leigh Miners Rangers.

Midlands Hurricanes’ clash against Orrell St James was at one point a 10 versus 10 fixture. The clash in Wigan included three reds and three yellows, including sending offs to Dom Flanagan and Kieran Moran.

The League 1 outfit managed to overcome a potential cup upset, having found themselves 12-4 down at the break. However, second-half tries from Nathan Hill, Matty Welham and a drop-goal from Dan Coates saw the side claim a 19-12 win.

London Broncos full-back Jarred Bassett scored a hat-trick in his side’s 32-10 victory over Whitehaven at home. Team-mates Bill Leyland, Marcus Stock, Oli Leyland also scoring in the capital.

Meanwhile, Sheffield’s and Newcastle’s respective Challenge Cup fixtures fell victim to the weather.

Both sides are hoping to play their ties on Sunday instead, with Sheffield travelling to Siddal and Newcastle facing Stanningley.

Saturday’s Challenge Cup results

Westgate Common 12-15 Hunslet ARLFC

Leigh Miners Rangers 10-38 Rochdale Mayfield

Orrell St James 12-19 Midlands Hurricanes

Wests Warriors 4-80 Widnes

London Broncos 32-10 Whitehaven

Sunday’s fixtures

Thatto Heath Crusaders v North Wales Crusaders (1230pm – live on BBC Sport)

Stanningley v Newcastle Thunder (1pm, provisionally)

Batley Bulldogs v Wath Brow Hornets (2pm)

Dewsbury Rams v Rochdale Hornets (2pm)

Siddall v Sheffield (2:30pm, provisional)

Barrow Raiders v Swinton Lions (3pm)  

Bradford Bulls v York Acorn (3pm) 

Doncaster v Workington Town (3pm)

Featherstone Rovers v Halifax Panthers (3pm – live on TheSportsman.com)

Hunslet v Keighley Cougars (3pm) 

York Knights v West Bowling (3pm)

The draws for the fourth and fifth Rounds will be held the following Wednesday, March 15, at Millom ARLFC, who are celebrating their 150th anniversary and thought to be the world’s oldest amateur Rugby League club.

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