Tuesday, 16 April 2019

Championship Talk: Cup of Cheer

fevnut's blog is absolutely delighted to have received permission to bring you a regular column from Gareth Walker.

Gareth is a top rugby league journalist who has one very exceptional distinction. He chooses to write about matters pertaining to the Championship and League One.

Although this blog is devoted to Featherstone Rovers it is always good to read opinions about matters relevant to us, but not specifically about us. We hope you enjoy reading Gareth's column each week.



Cup of cheer

THE Coral Challenge Cup sixth round draw has thrown up four fascinating ties for the five non-Super League clubs still in the competition.

Two of them meet each other when Dewsbury entertain Halifax, ensuring there will be at least one Championship club in the last eight this year.
       
That’s a mouth-watering prospect for the two Yorkshire rivals, who will both be confident of their prospects, despite Fax recording a comprehensive home win in their league meeting last month.    
       
Rams coach Lee Greenwood was openly critical of his side in that match, but otherwise his team have been competitive in just about every game, and showed their potential in winning at Featherstone.
       
Former Halifax scrum-half Liam Finn and his team will relish the opportunity of facing Super League opposition in the quarter-finals - something the visitors have already done successfully having beaten London Broncos in the fifth round.
       
It should be a cracker that hopefully attracts a bumper crowd given what is at stake for both clubs financially.
       
There should certainly be a big attendance when Bradford Bulls host local rivals Leeds Rhinos in one of the ties of the round.
       
It is rich reward for John Kear’s team after their stunning golden point win over Featherstone last weekend.
       
Trailing 26-8 the Bulls looked set to be dumped out of the competition, but Kear wrote another chapter in his own love story with the Challenge Cup by overseeing a remarkable comeback that culminated in Jordan Lilley’s drop goal winner.
       
It will be the first competitive clash between the rivals since 2014 and the first cup meeting since the 2003 final at Cardiff.
       
Doncaster followed Halifax’s lead in beating a higher division opponent in the last round by edging past Championship Batley, and the last remaining League One team will now travel to holders Catalans.
       
It’s a tough ask for Richard Horne’s side, but the prospect of a decent crowd and the opportunity for his part-time players to experience Perpignan should make it a worthwhile trip whatever the scoreline.
       
Finally, Kieron Purtill’s young Widnes team will travel to in-form Wakefield and an early chance to test themselves against top flight opposition again following last year’s relegation.
       
It’s another tall order for the travelling Championship club, but their host of blossoming homegrown players will benefit immensely from the experience, and history should tell us not to completely write off the underdog.

Coral Challenge Cup Round Six Draw in full:

Salford Red Devils v Hull Kingston Rovers
Dewsbury Rams v Halifax RLFC
Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors
Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos
Hull FC v Castleford Tigers
Catalans Dragons v Doncaster RLFC
Huddersfield Giants v St Helens

Wakefield Trinity v Widnes Vikings



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