The Challenge Cup is the sport’s oldest competition and the most prestigious and yesterday saw the start of the road to Wembley in 2024 for 18 of the sport’s community clubs.
Nine fixtures from round one were played yesterday with the remaining fixture between Orrell St James and Haresfinch set for this afternoon, available to watch live on The Sportsman Youtube channel.
Among those nine fixtures was the televised game by the BBC, who are showing at least one game every single round throughout this year’s competition, which saw Royal Air Force take on the Royal Navy in a battle of the forces.
That clash saw Navy overturn a half-time deficit to run out as 28-22 victors in a game that was incredibly officiated by 2023 Challenge Cup winner Tara Jones, marking a unique piece of Challenge Cup history and trivia.
For many of these teams the thought of making Wembley is nothing more than a dream but that is what makes this competition so brilliant. Since 1927 when Wembley was adopted as the home of the Challenge Cup teams have had the dream to play at that iconic stadium, these amateur sides being no different.
Among the nine results yesterday five games were separated by one try or less, with three of those being split by just three points or less highlighting the competitive and intense nature of knockout rugby league.
Doncaster Toll Bar hosted Ashton Bears whilst Clock Face Miners welcomed Heworth, both matches seeing the home side edge out their opponents by a score of 22-20.
Meanwhile Fryston Warriors knocked out British Army, meaning the Royal Navy remain the final forces side in the competition, by a scoreline of 13-10.
The other one score game came between Lowca and Edinburgh Eagles, the Eagles side winning 28-22 and becoming the first Scottish side to get a win in the competition since 2010 when they themselves made it past the first round.
Huddersfield Giants’ star Ashton Goulding’s Stanningley side ran out as easy victors over South Wales Jets, securing a 40-4 win.
There was also good news for rugby outside of the heartlands as two London sides will be in the second round, Wests Warriors beating Newsome Panthers 28-4 and Hammersmith Hills Hoists hammering Gillingham Medway Dragons 60-6.
The final scoreline saw West Bowling beat Outlon Raiders on the road 34-22 to set up a game with Hammersmith Hills Hoists in round two, those games to be played in a fortnight’s time.
Round 1 results
Clock Face Miners 22 Heworth 20
Doncaster Toll Bar 22 Ashton Bears 20
Fryston Warriors 13 British Army 10
Hammersmith Hills Hoists 56 Medway Dragons 6
Lowca 22 Edinburgh Eagles 28
Oulton Raiders 22 West Bowling 34
Royal Air Force 22 Royal Navy 28
South Wales Jets 4 Stanningley 40
Wests Warriors 28 Newsome Panthers 4
Don’t forget to tune in to the Sportsman Youtube channel to watch Orrell St James host Haresfinch with the winner set for a clash with York Acorn in round two.
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