# 2018 Challenge Cup

The 2018 Challenge Cup, also known as the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons, was the 117th staging of the Challenge Cup, the main rugby league knockout tournament for teams in the Super League, the British National Leagues and a number of invited amateur clubs.
The cup was won by Catalans Dragons, who beat Warrington Wolves 20–14 at Wembley on 25 August 2018 to become the first non-British team to win the challenge cup in its 117-year history. The defending champions, Hull F.C., went out at the quarter-final stage.
The Catalans fullback, Tony Gigot, was voted the winner of the Lance Todd Trophy, becoming the first Frenchman to win the trophy since it was first awarded in 1946.
The format of the competition was eight knock-out rounds followed by a final. The first two rounds were composed entirely of 48 amateur teams. The 12 winners of the second round ties were joined in round three by the 14 League 1 teams. For the fourth round, the 13 winners from round 3 were joined by 11 of the 12 Championship teams (Toulouse Olympique. who play in the Championship, chose not to enter the 2018 cup competition). Round five saw four Super League teams entering the competition, namely those that finished in the top four positions of the 2017 Qualifiers—Warrington Wolves, Widnes Vikings, Hull Kingston Rovers and Catalans Dragons. The remaining eight Super League teams joined in round six.

## Round details

| Round | Date | Clubs involved this round | Winners from previous round | New entries this round | Leagues entering at this round |
| Round 1 | 27–28 January | 48 | n/a | 48 | 39 English amateur clubs Scottish, Welsh & Irish champions 3 Armed Forces teams British Police 2 University rugby league representatives |
| Round 2 | 10–11 February | 24 | 24 | 0 | n/a |
| Round 3 | 24–25 February | 26 | 12 | 14 | League 1 |
| Round 4 | 17–18 March | 24 | 13 | 11* | Championship |
| Round 5 | 21–22 April | 16 | 12 | 4 | 2017 Super League Qualifiers top 4 |
| Round 6 | 12–13 May | 16 | 8 | 8 | 2017 Super League top 8 |
| Quarter-finals | 2–3 June | 8 | 8 | n/a | n/a |
| Semi-finals | 5 August | 4 | 4 | n/a | n/a |
| Final | 25 August | 2 | 2 | n/a | n/a |
*Toulouse Olympique did not participate in the competition.

## First round

The draw for the first round was made on 12 December 2017 at Media City and streamed live on the BBC Sport website. The draw was made by recently retired Hull F.C. captain, Gareth Ellis, and former Lance Todd Trophy winner, Paul Wellens. The 48 teams in the draw comprised 39 English amateur teams, the winners of the Scottish, Welsh and Irish leagues, two teams from the Universities rugby league and representative teams for the three armed services and the police.
Ties were played over the weekend of 27–28 January 2018 with the exception of one game postponed to the following weekend.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Leigh Miners Rangers | 18–22 | Myton Warriors | 27 January 2018, 2:30pm | Twist Lane | | |
| Underbank Rangers | 16–17 | Batley Boys | 27 January 2018, 2:00pm | The Cross Grounds | | |
| Kells | 40–8 | British Police | 27 January 2018, 2:00pm | Old Arrowthwaite | D. Arnold | |
| Wallsend Eagles | 6–42 | Pilkington Recs | 27 January 2018, 2:30pm | Benfield Sports Centre | | |
| Rochdale Mayfield | 28–0 | Crosfields | 27 January 2018, 2:30pm | Mayfield Sports Centre | L. Staveley | |
| Lock Lane | 48–0 | Hindley | 27 January 2018, 2:00pm | Hicksons Arena | J. Barr | |
| Hunslet Club Parkside | walkover | Valley Cougars | 27 January 2018, 2:00pm | Hillidge Road | | |
| London Chargers | 18–0 | Hammersmith Hills Hoists | 27 January 2018, 1:00pm | New River Stadium | T. Jones | |
| Royal Air Force | 12–4 | Drighlington | 27 January 2018, 1:30pm | RAF Cranwell | N.Woodward | |
| Oulton Raiders | 28–26 | Siddal | 27 January 2018, 2:00pm | Oulton & Woodlesford Sports club | | |
| Millom | 36–18 | Strathmore Silverbacks | 27 January 2018, 1:30pm | Coronation Field | D. Bowmer | |
| Loughborough University | 4–38 | Bradford Dudley Hill | 27 January 2018, 12:00pm | Rugby Rubbercrumb | S.Ellis | |
| University of Hull | 24–10 | Hensingham RLFC | 27 January 2018, 2:30pm | Hull Uni Sports & Fitness Centre | M. Smaill | |
| Orrell St James | 34–0 | Northampton Demons | 27 January 2018, 2:30pm | Bankes Avenue | | |
| Royal Navy | 11–12 | Normanton Knights | 27 January 2018, 2:00pm | US Sports Ground | | |
| York Acorn | 16–32 | Askam RLFC | 27 January 2018, 2:00pm | Thanet Road | | |
| Saddleworth Rangers | 12–22 | Thatto Heath Crusaders | 27 January 2018, 2:00pm | Shaw Hall Bank Road | | |
| Shaw Cross Sharks | 18–0 | Beverley | 3 February 2018, 2:00pm | Bywell Field | C. Astbury | |
| West Hull | 58–10 | Longhorns ARLFC | 28 January 2018, 2:00pm | Community Park | | |
| East Leeds | 10–28 | Thornhill Trojans | 27 January 2018, 2:30pm | East End Park | J. Stearne | |
| Hunslet Warriors | 0–30 | Wath Brow Hornets | 27 January 2018, 2:00pm | The Oval | H. Neville | |
| Featherstone Lions | 34–14 | Skirlaugh | 27 January 2018, 2:00pm | The Millpond | | |
| British Army | 48–10 | Milford Marlins | 27 January 2018, 3:00pm | Aldershot Rugby Stadium | C. Worsely | |
| Distington ARLFC | 32–24 | Queens ARLFC | 27 January 2018, 2:00pm | Grass Road | | |
| Source: |||||||
* ↑ after golden point extra time
* ↑ Tie was scratched and awarded to Hunslet Club Parkside as Valley Cougars were unable to raise a team for the scheduled date and scheduling issues made re-arranging the fixture impossible
* ↑ after golden point extra time
* ↑ Match postponed from 27 January due to waterlogged pitch.

## Second round

The draw for the second round was made on 31 January 2018 at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium and streamed live on the BBC Sport website. The draw was made by Warrington Wolves former prop forward and Swinton Lions coach, Gary Chambers, and current Warrington forward Sitaleki Akauola. The 24 teams in the draw comprised the winners from the first round.
Ties were played on 10 February 2018. Batley Boys won their tie with a drop goal in golden point extra time, having won their first round tie in the same fashion.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| British Army | 26–14 | London Chargers | 10 February 2018, 1:00pm | Aldershot Military Stadium | K. Moore | |
| Millom | 24–12 | Bradford Dudley Hill | 10 February 2018, 1:30pm | Coronation Field | N.Woodward | |
| Kells | 16–4 | Orrell St James | 10 February 2018, 2:00pm | Old Arrowthwaite | L. Rush | |
| Batley Boys | 13–12 | Royal Air Force | 10 February 2018, 2:00pm | Halifax Road | J. Stearne | |
| Oulton Raiders | 24–10 | Shaw Cross Sharks | 10 February 2018, 2:00pm | Oulton Community Sports Club | G.Houston | |
| Distington | 12–4 | Lock Lane | 10 February 2018, 2:00pm | Distington Community Sports Club | M. Smaill | |
| Hunslet Club Parkside | 24–6 | Wath Brow Hornets | 10 February 2018, 2:00pm | Hillidge Road | P. Marklove | |
| Pilkington Recs | 16–0 | Thornhill Trojans | 10 February 2018, 2:00pm | Ruskin Drive | J. Jones | |
| Featherstone Lions | 18–6 | Thatto Heath Crusaders | 10 February 2018, 2:00pm | The Mill Pond Stadium | M. Rossleigh | |
| Askam | 16–4 | West Hull | 10 February 2018, 2:00pm | Sandy Lane | J. Barr | |
| Rochdale Mayfield | 4–8 | Normanton Knights | 10 February 2018, 2:30pm | Mayfield Sports Arena | C. Smith | |
| University of Hull | 18–22 | Myton Warriors | 10 February 2018, 2:30pm | University of Hull | C. Worsley | |
| Source: |||||||
* ↑ after golden point extra time

## Third round

The draw for the third round was made on 13 February live on the BBC Sport website. The draw was made by Super League players Alex Walmsley and Kriss Brining. Ties were played over the weekend of 24–25 February.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Kells | 30–4 | British Army | 24 February 2018, 2:00pm | Old Arrowthwaite | C. Smith | 300 |
| Normanton Knights | 18–0 | Batley Boys | 24 February 2018, 2:00pm | Queen Elizabeth Drive | M. Smaill | 350 |
| Askam | 6–64 | York City Knights | 24 February 2018, 2:30pm | Fallowfield Park | B. Milligan | 750 |
| Hunslet Club Parkside | 16–24 | Workington Town | 24 February 2018, 2:30pm | John Charles Stadium | T. Crashley | 285 |
| Pilkington Recs | 32–16 | Millom | 24 February 2018, 2:30pm | Ruskin Drive | J. Stearne | 285 |
| Hemel Stags | 0–74 | Newcastle Thunder | 25 February 2018, 2:00pm | Pennine Way stadium | A.Sweet | 115 |
| North Wales Crusaders | 28–24 | Keighley Cougars | 25 February 2018, 2:30pm | Racecourse Ground | J.Jones | 281 |
| Bradford Bulls | 82–6 | West Wales Raiders | 25 February 2018, 3:00pm | Odsal Stadium | N.Woodward | 1,505 |
| Coventry Bears | 42–12 | Distington | 25 February 2018, 3:00pm | Butts Park Arena | C. Worsley | 267 |
| Doncaster | 82–6 | Myton Warriors | 25 February 2018, 3:00pm | Keepmoat Stadium | M.Mannifield | 388 |
| Hunslet | 72–16 | Oulton Raiders | 25 February 2018, 3:00pm | South Leeds Stadium | B. Pearson | 896 |
| Oldham | 42–0 | Featherstone Lions | 25 February 2018, 3:00pm | Vestacare Stadium | L. Staveley | 364 |
| Whitehaven | 16-14 | London Skolars | 25 February 2018, 6:00pm | Recreation Ground | M. Griffiths | 439 |
| Source: |||||||

## Fourth round

The draw was conducted by former player (and Challenge Cup winner) Rob Parker and former Scottish international Andrew Henderson.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Kells | 6–56 | Toronto Wolfpack | 16 March 2018, 6:15pm | Recreation Ground | N. Bennett | 1,000 |
| Doncaster | 34–0 | Newcastle Thunder | 16 March 2018, 8:00pm | Keepmoat Stadium | L. Staveley | 398 |
| Normanton Knights | 8–20 | Rochdale Hornets | 17 March 2018, 2:00pm | L.D. Nutrition Stadium | G. Dolan | Not recorded |
| Barrow Raiders | 28–16 | Sheffield Eagles | 18 March 2018, 3:00pm | Craven Park | B. Robinson | 936 |
| Batley Bulldogs | 4–8 | Leigh Centurions | 18 March 2018, 3:00pm | Fox's Biscuits Stadium | T. Grant | 606 |
| Whitehaven | 25–18 | Dewsbury Rams | 18 March 2018, 3:00pm | Recreation Ground | A. Sweet | 414 |
| Workington Town | 20–22 | London Broncos | 18 March 2018, 3:00pm | Derwent Park | M. Griffiths | 548 |
| York City Knights | 26–12 | Swinton Lions | 18 March 2018, 3:00pm | L.D. Nutrition Stadium | M. Mannifield | 525 |
| Halifax | 6–27 | Oldham | 20 March 2018, 7:30pm | The Shay | B. Pearson | 688 |
| North Wales Crusaders | 6–66 | Featherstone Rovers | 20 March 2018, 7:30pm | L.D. Nutrition Stadium | J. Roberts | 1,098 |
| Coventry Bears | 31–20 | Pilkington Recs | 25 March 2018, 3pm | Butts Park Arena | A. Sweet | 395 |
| Hunslet RLFC | 10–34 | Bradford Bulls | 2 April 2018, 2:00pm | South Leeds Stadium | N. Bennett | 1,081 |
| Source: |||||||
* ↑ Match played at Whitehaven's Recreation Ground
* ↑ Played at Featherstone Rovers' ground
* ↑ Played at Featherstone Rovers' ground due to the pitch at Bootham Crescent being waterlogged.
* 1 2 3 4 Fixture postponed on 18 March due to bad weather.
* ↑ After being postponed on 18 March and with North Wales' ground being unavailable mid-week, the clubs agreed to reverse the fixture and play at Featherstone to enable the fixture to be played as soon as possible.

## Fifth round

The draw was made on 20 March 2018 by two Women's Super League players, Faye Gaskin of St. Helens and Gemma Walsh of Wigan Warriors.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Widnes Vikings | 90–0 | Coventry Bears | 21 April 2018, 13:00 | Select Security Stadium | J McMullen | 1,438 |
| Warrington Wolves | 54–6 | Bradford Bulls | 21 April 2018, 15:00 | Halliwell Jones Stadium | T Grant | 4,710 |
| Doncaster | 16–26 | Featherstone Rovers | 22 April 2018, 15:00 | Keepmoat Stadium | M Rossleigh | 1,076 |
| Leigh Centurions | 40–0 | London Broncos | 22 April 2018, 15:00 | Leigh Sports Village | L Moore | 2,507 |
| Oldham | 0–32 | Hull KR | 22 April 2018, 15:00 | Bower Fold | G Hewer | 1,064 |
| Toronto Wolfpack | 16–12 | Barrow Raiders | 22 April 2018, 15:00 | Furness Heating Components Stadium | G Dolan | 1,140 |
| Whitehaven | 38–0 | Rochdale Hornets | 22 April 2018, 15:00 | Recreation Ground | L Staveley | 604 |
| York City Knights | 22–34 | Catalans Dragons | 22 April 2018, 15:00 | Bootham Crescent | C Kendall | 3,081 |
| Source: |||||||
* ↑ Tie was played at Barrow even though Toronto were drawn as the home team.

## Sixth Round

The draw for the Sixth Round was made on 25 April 2018, live on Chris Evans' Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Two, alongside Leeds Rhinos veteran forward Jamie Jones-Buchanan, and Warrington Wolves winger Josh Charnley.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Featherstone Rovers | 20–38 | Hull F.C. | 10 May 2018, 7:35pm | LD Nutrition Stadium | S. Mikalauskas | 2,322 |
| Leigh Centurions | 22–10 | Salford Red Devils | 11 May 2018, 7:35pm | Leigh Sports Village | L. Moore | 4,024 |
| Huddersfield Giants | 24–14 | Wakefield Trinity | 11 May 2018, 7:45pm | John Smith's Stadium | G. Hewer | 2,631 |
| Widnes Vikings | 20–23 | Leeds Rhinos | 11 May 2018, 8:00pm | Select Security Stadium | G. Dolan | 1,865 |
| Castleford Tigers | 18–36 | St. Helens | 12 May 2018, 2:30pm | Mend-A-Hose Jungle | J. Child | 5,342 |
| Catalans Dragons | 56–10 | Whitehaven | 12 May 2018, 3:30pm | Stade Gilbert Brutus | M. Rossleigh | 2,533 |
| Hull KR | 10–28 | Wigan Warriors | 13 May 2018, 3:00pm | MS3 Craven Park | C. Kendall | 3,524 |
| Toronto Wolfpack | 10–66 | Warrington Wolves | 13 May 2018, 4:00pm | Halliwell Jones Stadium | B. Thaler | 6,507 |
| Source: |||||||
* ↑ Toronto were drawn as the home team, but the game was played at Warrington.

## Quarter-finals

The draw for the quarter-finals was made live on BBC Two directly after the conclusion of the Toronto v Warrington game. The draw was made by former players Nathan McAvoy and Robbie Hunter-Paul. Ties were played 31 May – 3 June with all four ties being televised either on Sky Sports or the BBC.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Huddersfield Giants | 6–20 | Catalans Dragons | 31 May 2018, 7:35pm | John Smith's Stadium | G. Hewer | 2,151 |
| Leeds Rhinos | 52–22 | Leigh Centurions | 1 June 2018, 7:35pm | LD Nutrition Stadium | C. Kendall | 3,277 |
| Warrington Wolves | 23–0 | Wigan Warriors | 2 June 2018, 2:30pm | Halliwell Jones Stadium | R. Hicks | 10,213 |
| St. Helens | 25–22 | Hull F.C. | 3 June 2018, 3:30pm | Totally Wicked Stadium | B. Thaler | 9,644 |
| Source: |||||||
* ↑ Tie moved to Featherstone Rovers' ground due to cricket Test match between England and Pakistan taking place at Headingley Stadium commencing 1 June 2018.

## Semi-final

On 30 May 2018 the RFL announced that the semi-finals would be played as a double header at the University of Bolton Stadium in Bolton on Sunday 5 August 2018. The draw was made live on BBC Two, directly after the end of the St Helens v Hull FC match. The draw was made by Sophie Rohan and Emily Burnette (the members of Belle Voci), who would sing "Abide with Me" before the final on 25 August.
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| St. Helens | 16–35 | Catalans Dragons | 5 August 2018, 12:30pm | University of Bolton Stadium | R. Hicks | 26,086 |
| Warrington Wolves | 48–12 | Leeds Rhinos | 5 August 2018, 2:45pm | University of Bolton Stadium | C. Kendall | 26,086 |
| Source: |||||||

## Final

| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Catalans Dragons | 20–14 | Warrington Wolves | 25 August 2018, 3:00pm | Wembley Stadium | R. Hicks | 50,672 |
| Source: |||||||
Teams: Catalans: Tony Gigot, Lewis Tierney, David Mead, Brayden Williame, Fouad Yaha, Samisoni Langi, Josh Drinkwater, Mickael Simon, Michael McIlorum, Sam Moa, Benjamin Jullien, Benjamin Garcia, Remi Casty (c). Substitutes (all used): Julian Bousquet, Jason Baitieri, Kenny Edwards, Mickael Goudemand. Tries: Tierney, Garcia, Williame. Goals: Drinkwater (4/4)
Warrington: Stefan Ratchford, Tom Lineham, Bryson Goodwin, Toby King, Josh Charnley, Kevin Brown, Tyrone Roberts, Chris Hill (c), Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Harvey Livett, Jack Hughes, Ben Westwood. Substitutes (all used): Ben Murdoch-Masila, George King, Declan Patton, Joe Philbin. Tries: Murdoch-Masila, G King. Goals: Roberts (3/3)

## Broadcasts

The primary broadcast organisation for the competition is BBC Sport. As in 2017 the BBC streamed one tie from each of the first five rounds live on the BBC Sport website with two games from the 6th, 7th and 8th rounds being broadcast live on BBC TV.

### Live matches

| Round | Match | Date | Broadcast method |
| 1st | Rochdale Mayfield v Crosfields | 27 January, 2:00pm | streamed BBC Sport |
| 2nd | Featherstone Lions v Thatto Heath Crusaders | 10 February, 2:00pm | streamed BBC Sport |
| 3rd | Coventry Bears v Distington | 25 February, 3:00pm | streamed BBC Sport |
| 4th | Normanton Knights v Rochdale Hornets | 17 March, 2:00pm | streamed BBC Sport |
| 5th | York City Knights v Catalans Dragons | 22 April, 2:00pm | streamed BBC Sport |
| 6th | Featherstone Rovers v Hull F.C. | 10 May, 7:35pm | Sky Sports Arena |
| 6th | Leigh Centurions v Salford Red Devils | 11 May, 7:35pm | Sky Sports Arena |
| 6th | Castleford Tigers v St Helens | 12 May, 2:30pm | BBC One |
| 6th | Toronto Wolfpack v Warrington Wolves | 13 May, 3:30pm | BBC Two |
| QF | Huddersfield Giants v Catalans Dragons | 31 May, 7:35pm | Sky Sports Arena |
| QF | Leeds Rhinos v Leigh Centurions | 1 June, 7:35pm | Sky Sports Arena |
| QF | Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors | 2 June, 2:30pm | BBC One |
| QF | St. Helens v Hull F.C. | 3 June, 3:30pm | BBC Two |
| SF | St. Helens v Catalans Dragons | 5 August, 12:30pm | BBC One |
| SF | Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos | 5 August, 2:45pm | BBC One |
| F | Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves | 25 August, 3:00pm | BBC One |