The four teams joining Super League clubs in Challenge Cup last 16
Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Super League enter the Challenge Cup at the sixth round stage, with the draw to be made live on BBC Sportsday on Monday evening at 6.30pm.
Joining those 12 clubs are four Championship sides who made it through their fifth round ties at the weekend.
Halifax registered an impressive 26-0 victory over Bradford on Saturday night.
The Panthers gained revenge for their televised Championship defeat against the Bulls earlier this month with a dominant display that saw them lead 22-0 at half time.
French half-back Louis Jouffret showcased his credentials ahead of next weekend’s international against England with a man of the match performance and a brace of tries.
James Saltonstall also crossed twice and Jake Maizen was the other try scorer as the Panthers impressed in front of the BBC cameras.
On Sunday, the final remaining League 1 side in the competition, Dewsbury, went down 36-16 at London Broncos. Iliess Macani scored two tries for the Broncos who move within 80 minutes of a game at Wembley.
Aidan McGowan scored two tries as Batley beat Keighley 34-16 and despite their league struggles, Newcastle nearly caused an upset away at York.
The tightly contested affair had Thunder leading at half-time before a second half fightback from the hosts saw them take the spoils.
Winger Joe Brown had given the Knights the lead midway through the first half, but scores from Marcus Walker and Jack Miller enabled Thunder to open up a 12-4 lead at the break.
York came out firing in the second half with back-to-back tries from winger AJ Towse and fullback Matty Marsh. Centre James Glover converting both gave the hosts a slender 16-12 lead on 50 minutes.
Moments later Thunder regained their lead through centre Mac Walsh. Fullback Alex Donaghy key in the buildup, fed Walsh through to score from an overlap. Williams adding the extras to the score to 18-16 in favour of Thunder with 25 minutes to play.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, York would cross for the vital score through scrum-half Liam Harris, ghosting through the Thunder defence to dot down. Glover added the extras in what was the final say of the match.
Batley, Halifax, London and York will now go in to the hat for the Challenge Cup sixth round, hoping to land Super League opposition in the last 16.
Not only that, but the Championship quartet will make up the semi-finals of the 1895 Cup – putting them all within 80 minutes of Wembley.
The 1895 Cup final will be played after the women’s and men’s Challenge Cup finals at Wembley on August 12.
When is the Challenge Cup sixth round draw?
The Challenge Cup sixth round draw will take place on Monday April 24 at 6.30pm, broadcast live on the BBC News Channel during the Sportsday programme.
The sixth round ties will be played on the weekend May 18-21.
Challenge Cup sixth round draw ball numbers
1. Batley Bulldogs
2. Castleford Tigers
3. Catalans Dragons
4. Halifax Panthers
5. Huddersfield Giants
6. Hull FC
7. Hull KR
8. Leeds Rhinos
9. Leigh Leopards
10. London Broncos
11. St Helens
12. Salford Red Devils
13. Wakefield Trinity
14. Warrington Wolves
15. Wigan Warriors
16. York Knights
Challenge Cup fifth round results
- York 22-18 Newcastle
- Halifax 26-0 Bradford
- Batley 34-16 Keighley
- London 36-16 Dewsbury
