Challenge Cup fourth round preview: Little bit of history in the making
Photo: Michael Zemanek / SWpix
A total of 20 clubs are in Challenge Cup fourth round action this weekend knowing a win will take them within one game of potentially facing Super League opposition.
With Toulouse not participating, the remaining 20 clubs will be whittled down to five in time for the sixth round – when the other 11 Super League clubs join the competition.
The winners of this weekend’s 10 ties will take part in the fifth round, which will be made up of five ties.
As well as progressing to the last 16 of the Challenge Cup, the five winners from the fifth round will participate in the 1895 Cup.
It hasn’t yet been officially confirmed how the 1895 Cup will be formatted, as previously there have been just four teams left in the Challenge Cup at this stage.
It is expected that two of the five teams will have to play-off, with the winner then joining the other three teams in the 1895 Cup semi-finals.
The 1895 Cup final will be played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium prior to the Challenge Cup final on May 28.
A little bit of history
At least one League 1 club will make it through to the fifth round and in historic circumstances too.
North Wales Crusaders welcome Hunslet on Saturday, in a game that will be played at Paton Field, home of Caldy RFC – the first professional game of rugby league held on the Wirral since 1904.
Both sides have recorded eye-catching victories in the cup so far; Crusaders defeating Swinton and Leigh Miners; Hunslet have seeing off Keighley and Siddal conceding just 10 points in the process.
Crusaders coach Anthony Murray said: “Our ground was unavailable and our CEO lives in the area and asked the question. We are massively grateful and really looking forward to it.
“Hopefully we’ll get some new spectators there who haven’t seen rugby league before and they’ll be treated to a good, physical game.
“It’s a massive fixture. Let’s hope we make a little bit of history ourselves and get through to the fifth round!”
Long pre-season
The start of the year is a challenge for League 1 clubs, who don’t start their league season until the end of March.
But they have been playing in the Challenge Cup since January.
Murray added: “It feels like we’ve been in pre-season forever! We’ve been in since November, had the cup games since January and league doesn’t start until end of March. It does feel like a long pre-season.
“If you get knocked out, there’s no rugby action at all for your players. But it’s just something we have to deal with.
“I think it’ll be an open contest, both teams want to play rugby. I know Alan from old and his teams are always well drilled and play a decent standard of rugby, and so do we.”
Hunslet are almost at full strength, missing just Jordan Syme – ruled out as he’s best man at his brother’s wedding.
As well as their two cup wins, the Parksiders beat a Leeds side 34-6 in the Harry Jepson OBE Memorial Trophy.
Coach Alan Kilshaw said: “We are in a really fortunate position, with the majority of the squad at full fitness.
“We will look to rotate the squad a little bit as some players deserve an opportunity to play. North Wales Crusaders are a team we really respect, and we are under no illusions regarding how difficult the game will be.
“It’s a good challenge for us, to see how we go without the home comforts and in a different environment.”
Eyes on elsewhere
There are five all Championship ties, including a Monday night clash between Leigh and Widnes.
Bradford, the most recent winners of the Challenge Cup currently in the competition, face a trip to Plough Lane to face London Broncos, who other than Bradford are the last team in the fourth round to reach a Challenge Cup final.
Two community sides remain in the competition too; with the Royal Navy gaining national exposure through a live stream on the BBC for their trip to Batley; while Hunslet Club Parkside welcome 1998 winners Sheffield.
1895 Cup holders Featherstone travel to Halifax, and losing finalists at Wembley last season York welcome Newcastle.
Challenge Cup fourth round ties
- North Wales Crusaders v Hunslet (Saturday, 2pm)
- Batley v Royal Navy (Sunday, 1pm)
- Doncaster v Whitehaven (Sunday, 2pm)
- Hunslet Club Parkside v Sheffield (Sunday, 2pm)
- Workington v Dewsbury (Sunday, 2pm)
- Halifax v Featherstone (Sunday, 3pm)
- London B v Bradford (Sunday, 3pm)
- Rochdale v Barrow (Sunday, 3pm)
- York v Newcastle (Sunday, 3pm)
- Leigh v Widnes (Monday, 7.45pm)
Watch Challenge Cup fourth round live
Three matches from the fourth round are being broadcast live.
- Batley v Royal Navy, live on BBC Sport online and BBC iPlayer
- York v Newcastle, live on The Sportsman
- Leigh v Widnes, live on Premier Sports TV