The Challenge Cup is back and it’s these opening stages of the competition where the real fairy-tale stories begin, and today has seen the Royal Navy defeat their rival forces the Royal Air Force.
It wasn’t all easy going for the Navy who had to come from behind to land the win but they put in an impressive second-half performance that saw them overturn an 18-12 deficit, scoring three second-half tries to win 28-22.
It was the Air Force who had got the scoring underway but their lead didn’t last long as a fortunate score came for the Navy to make it 6-4.
More scores came with the Air Force restoring their lead and going in at the half with a one try lead, however the second half saw them rarely challenge the Navy until it was too late.
That late try came as a result of a true show of determination with the Air Force doing well to score in the corner and exit the tournament with some pride.
Interestingly the game was officiated by one of last year’s Challenge Cup winners as St Helens hooker Tara Jones was the referee for the match. Jones started officiating courses early on when she could no longer play underage with the boys teams.
Starting aged 12 she went on to lead two Challenge Cup matches back in 2018 and ran the show for today’s match that was broadcast by the BBC.
The Navy’s win sees them secure a round two tie where they will face Thatto Heath Crusaders, that tie to be played on the weekend of 27th and 28th of January.
As for Jones and her Challenge Cup campaign as a player she’ll be starring for St Helens again with the club having learned their draw earlier this week.
The women’s competition is drawn into four groups of four with two teams progressing from each and therefore a quarter-final stage to start the knockout tournament.
Saints have been drawn alongside Warrington Wolves, Bradford Bulls and London Broncos, whilst last year’s losing finalists Leeds Rhinos will go up against Huddersfield Giants, Leigh Leopards and Hull KR.
This year’s competition will kick-off on the weekend of 16/17 March – the start of the road to Wembley Stadium, where the final will be staged for only the second time on Saturday 8 June.
All teams will play three group matches, with the top four seeds – Leeds Rhinos (Group 4), St Helens (Group 3), Wigan Warriors (Group 2) and York Valkyrie (Group 1) – each playing two of their matches away from home.
Group One – York Valkyrie, Featherstone Rovers, Castleford Tigers, Sheffield Eagles
Group Two – Wigan Warriors, Barrow Raiders, Salford Red Devils, Cardiff Demons
Group Three – St Helens, Warrington Wolves, Bradford Bulls, London Broncos
Group Four – Leeds Rhinos, Huddersfield Giants, Leigh Leopards, Hull KR
Warrington Wolves
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