Rugby League National Leagues

Siddal dream of Super League opposition

Halifax based community club Siddal will be dreaming of drawing one of the Super League big guns after creating a huge upset in their third round Carnegie Challenge Cup victory over Co-operative Championship 1 side Doncaster.

Siddal, who sit third in the National Conference League, took the lead after just 60 seconds at the Keepmoat stadium through a Scott Caley try and were 10-0 up before half-time when Brad Attwood touched down and added the conversion.

A Gareth Blackburn try seven minutes into the second half extended Siddal’s lead before Caley and Attwood added late scores to secure a stunning 26-0 victory. Siddal will now line up alongside the likes of cup holders Warrington Wolves and Grand Final winners Leeds Rhinos in Monday night’s fourth round draw which is live on BBC Radio Five Live shortly after 7.30pm.

Joining Siddal in the draw will be two-time cup winners Hunslet Hawks who, after a nervy start, ran in five tries to defeat National Conference League leaders Leigh East 30-14.

Two tries from flying winger Rob Foxen helped Swinton Lions beat Warrington Wizards 34-22, whilst three late Whitehaven tries sealed a 40-20 win over Leigh Miners Rangers.

A strong Barrow Raiders side, featuring eight players from last year’s Championship Grand Final winning team, scored 11 tries in their 62-10 thrashing of Hunslet Warriors.  Andrew Ballard, Nathan Mossop and Ned Catic all scored a brace of tries each for the home side.

After reaching the fifth round last year Gateshead Thunder were soundly beaten at home by in-form York City Knights 44-12 in an all Championship 1 tie.  Casey Bromilow crossed twice for the visitors.

Two tries apiece for Craig Cook and Misi Taulapapa helped 1998 Challenge Cup winners Sheffield Eagles into the fourth round with a 54-0 win over Thatto Heath and Leigh Centurions made light work of last year’s giant killers Wath Brow Hornets.  Dave Alstead scored four tries for Ian Millward’s men in the 52-4 victory.

Four sides scored over 70 points in their third round victories. 

Batley Bulldogs, the first Challenge Cup winners in 1897, completed a 12 try rout of Leeds Met University 70-6; Tommy Saxton and Jesse Joe Parker both scored hat-tricks as Featherstone put 74 unanswered points past Workington Town; Joseph Chandler and Mark Brocklehurst also grabbed three tries each as Oldham thrashed Blackwood Bulldogs 80-6 and Halifax defeated local rivals Ovenden 88-10.

In another local derby Championship side Dewsbury ran in seven tries to beat community club Drighlington 42-10 whilst elsewhere Blackpool Panthers beat the Royal Navy.

The last 32 of the competition will feature four French teams after Toulouse, Lezignan and Limoux all secured their places alongside 2007 finalists Catalans Dragons in Monday night’s draw.

Limoux ran in eight tries, including a brace for centre Sam Key, in their 42-16 victory at London Skolars, Jye Mullane and Oliver Janzac both scored twice for Lezignan as they beat Rochdale Hornets 32-22 and Nathan Wynn scored 15 points for Toulouse as they overcame Keighley Cougars 35-26 in an all Championship tie.

Siddal will not be the only community club involved in Monday night’s draw which will include all the third round winners plus the 14 Engage Super League clubs.  Wigan St Judes will also go into the draw after their third round tie with Widnes Vikings was postponed and rearranged for Tuesday night.

The Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round draw will be live on BBC Radio Five Live on Monday evening shortly after 7.30pm.

Tickets for the 2010 Carnegie Challenge Cup Final are currently on sale, priced from just £21. Until Friday March 26, the RFL is offering complimentary upgrades on all ticket bands, with the exception of £76 tickets, for the Wembley showdown.

For example, anyone purchasing a £31 ticket will automatically be upgraded to a £41 ticket.
To book your Wembley seat at the historic 2010 Carnegie Challenge Cup Final contact  the RFL ticket office on 0844 856 11 13 or visitwww.carnegiechallengecup.co.uk