Watch: Dangerous tip tackle causes 20-man brawl in first round Challenge Cup clash

This past weekend saw the first round of the 2024 Challenge Cup with the road to Wembley starting once again for the nation’s amateur sides.

Saturday’s action got underway with a tough test between Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, the BBC showcasing the battle of the forces as part of their Challenge Cup coverage.

Navy overturned a half-time deficit to defeat their rival forces, running out as 28-22 winners in the clash that was refereed by Tara Jones – a member of 2023 Challenge Cup winning side St Helens.

Saturday saw a further eight games take place with Ashton Goulding’s Stanningley romping South Wales Jets 40-4, however the biggest score of the round saw Hammersmith Hills Hoists defeat Gillingham Medway Dragons 60-6.

For the neutral there were two far closer games with Doncaster Toll Bar beating Ashton Bears 22-20, the same scoreline that Clock Face Miners beat Heworth in an upset victory.

Tensions run high in Challenge Cup clash

As for Sunday though, the final game of round one, Orrell St James hosted Haresfinch with the game being broadcast by The Sportsman Rugby League Youtube Channel.

With the home side 12-0 up and on the brink of half time the game turned ugly though, a controversial and dangerous tackle leading to a 20-man brawl.

Haresfinch’s loose forward Danny Lynch took a strong carry in his own half and was met by two tacklers who, in the process of trying to stop the offload and ground the ball carrier, combined to spin the player past the horizontal launching him head first towards the ground.

Thankfully Lynch actually over rotated, landing more on his front but the dangerous manner of the tackle caused uproar from the Haresfinch players which sparked a melee, and then in the end a brawl.

Speaking on commentary for The Sportsman, former Saint Kyle Amor said: “They come in from everywhere, left and right. It was a horrible tackle.

“I think Orrell could be down a man here which makes it very interesting for the second half, because that was an awful tackle and there wasn’t any need for it.

“My first thought is that it has to be a red. I think there’s certainly a card, it just depends what colour. My gut reaction was a red.”

Tackler Jake Davies was then shown a yellow card for the tackle, whilst Haresfinch’s full-back Nathan Goodwin saw yellow for his reaction and involvement in starting the brawl.

The match referee could then be heard speaking to the captains trying to defuse the situation, explaining: “We’ll have no more of that. We’ve had a really good game so far.”

Orrell continue on road to Wembley

In the end the incident was merely a flashpoint in an otherwise well contested game, the home side Orrell building on their 12-0 half-time lead to run out as 20-4 victors.

That win has secured them a home tie against York Acorn in round two, another win meaning they’d land League One or Championship opposition.

😮 A brawl breaks out after a very nasty tackle!!@Six_Again | @TheChallengeCup

— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) January 14, 2024

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