# 2017 Challenge Cup

The 2017 Challenge Cup, (also known as the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 116th 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 defending champions were Hull F.C. who beat Warrington Wolves 12–10 in the 2016 final at Wembley Stadium. Hull F.C. retained the trophy beating Wigan Warriors 18–14 at Wembley on 26 August 2017.
The format of the competition was eight knock-out rounds followed by a final. The first two rounds were composed entirely of 32 amateur teams. The eight winners of the second round ties were joined in round 3 by the 16 League 1 teams including for the first time a Canadian team, the Toronto Wolfpack. For the fourth round the 12 Championship teams were included in the draw. Round 5 saw four Super League teams entering the competition. These are the four teams that finished in the top four positions of the 2016 Qualifiers and are Huddersfield Giants, Leeds Rhinos, Leigh Centurions and Salford Red Devils. The remaining eight Super League teams joined in round 6.

## Round dates

| Round | Dates |
| Round 1 | 28–29 January 2017 |
| Round 2 | 11–12 February 2017 |
| Round 3 | 25–26 February 2017 |
| Round 4 | 17–19+26 March 2017 |
| Round 5 | 21–23 April 2017 |
| Round 6 | 11–14 May 2017 |
| Quarter-finals | 15–18 June 2017 |
| Semi-finals | 29–30 July 2017 |
| Final | 26 August 2017 |
| Source: ||

## First round

The draw for the first round of the 2017 Challenge Cup was held on 5 January 2017 at the Deep to celebrate the city being named 2017 UK City of Culture and Hull's efforts in 2016 and featured 32 amateur teams from around the United Kingdom including one student team, all three armed services and the police. Home teams were drawn by Lee Radford and the away teams drawn by Dean Andrew, President of the RFL and The RAF.
Fixtures for the first round were played over the weekend of the 28–29 January 2017.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| London Chargers | 116–0 | Bridgend Blue Bulls | 28 January 2017, 13:00 | New River Stadium | S. Ellis | |
| Leigh Miners Rangers | 12–16 | Wigan St Patricks | 28 January 2017, 13:00 | Leigh Miners Welfare Sports & Social Club | S. Mikalauskas | |
| Thatto Heath Crusaders | 30–10 | Skirlaugh | 28 January 2017, 13:30 | Hattons Solicitors Crusader Park | H. Neville | |
| Aberdeen Warriors | 8–62 | Pilkington Recs | 28 January 2017, 13:30 | Woodside Sports Complex | B. Milligan | |
| University of Hull | 12–22 | Rochdale Mayfield | 28 January 2017, 14:00 | Hull University Sports & Fitness Centre | J. Stearne | |
| West Bowling | 0–12 | Kells ARLFC | 28 January 2017, 14:00 | Emsley Recreation Ground | J. Barr | |
| RAF | 12–30 | York Acorn | 28 January 2017, 14:00 | RAF College Cranwell | J. Jones | |
| Fryston Warriors | 33–10 | Normanton Knights | 28 January 2017, 14:00 | Fryston Welfare Club | L. Staveley | |
| Royal Navy | 34–38 | Myton Warriors | 28 January 2017, 14:00 | US Sports Ground | S. Houghton | |
| Siddal ARLFC | 16–4 | Milford Marlins | 28 January 2017, 14:00 | Siddal Sports & Community Centre | C. Worsley | |
| Egremont Rangers | 24–14 | British Army | 28 January 2017, 14:00 | Gilfoot Park | C. Astbury | |
| West Hull | 24–10 | Hull Dockers | 28 January 2017, 14:00 | West Hull Community Park | N. Woodward | |
| Thornhill Trojans | 32–18 | Lock Lane | 28 January 2017, 14:00 | Thornhill Sports & Community Centre | S. Chromiak | |
| Featherstone Lions | 29–28 | Distington ARLFC | 28 January 2017, 14:30 | The Mill Pond Stadium | K. Moore | |
| Wath Brow Hornets | 4–17 | Haydock ARLFC | 28 January 2017, 14:30 | Cleator Sports & Social Club | J. Turner | |
| Wests Warriors | 40–22 | Great Britain Police | 28 January 2017, 17:00 | New River Stadium | M. Griffiths | |
| Source: |||||||||

## Second round

The second round draw was made on 31 January from the home of amateur team Siddal, who qualified for the second round by defeating Milford Martins 16–14, and was streamed live on BBC Sport's website. The draw was made by former players, Johnny Lawless and Luke Robinson both of whom played for Siddal before turning professional. Ties were played over the weekend of 11–12 February 2017 with the exception of the game between West Hull and Thatto Heath which was postponed for a week due to a waterlogged pitch.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Myton Warriors | 18–4 | York Acorn | 11 February 2017, 13:30 | Marist Sporting Club | G. Dolan | |
| Featherstone Lions | 0–26 | Wests Warriors | 11 February 2017, 14:00 | The Mill Pond Stadium | B. Robinson | |
| Haydock ARLFC | 30–20 | Thornhill Trojans | 11 February 2017, 14:00 | King George Playing Fields | L. Staveley | |
| Wigan St Patricks | 18–28 | Egremont Rangers | 11 February 2017, 14:00 | Clarington Park | N. Bennett | |
| Kells | 14–16 | Rochdale Mayfield | 11 February 2017, 14:00 | The Pit Field | L. Moore | |
| Pilkington Recs | 10–34 | Siddal ARLFC | 11 February 2017, 14:15 | Ruskin Drive | G. Hewer | |
| London Chargers | 12–40 | Fryston Warriors | 11 February 2017, 16:00 | New River Stadium | M. Rossleigh | |
| West Hull | 18–16 | Thatto Heath Crusaders | 18 February 2017, 14:00 | West Hull ARLFC | S. Race | |
| Source: |||||||||
* ↑ After extra time

## Third round

The draw for the third round as made on 14 February 2017. The draw was conducted by Super League players Stefan Ratchford and Ryan Brierley. Ties were played 25–26 February 2017.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Siddal ARLFC | 6–14 | Toronto Wolfpack | 25 February 2017, 13:00 | Siddal Sports & Community Centre | T. Grant | 1,053 |
| West Hull | 16–18 | Whitehaven | 25 February 2017, 14:00 | West Hull Community Park | P. Marklove | 150 |
| Wests Warriors | 12–26 | Haydock ARLFC | 25 February 2017, 14:30 | New River Stadium | M. Rossleigh | 430 |
| Fryston Warriors | 32–50 | Keighley Cougars | 25 February 2017, 15:00 | The Big Fellas Stadium | J. McMullen | 739 |
| Newcastle Thunder | 18–16 | Workington Town | 25 February 2017, 17:00 | Kingston Park | M. Mannifield | 400 |
| Barrow Raiders | 60–6 | Rochdale Mayfield | 26 February 2017, 14:00 | Craven Park | M. Griffiths | 500 |
| Gloucestershire All Golds | 36–18 | North Wales Crusaders | 26 February 2017, 14:00 | Prince of Wales Stadium | G. Dolan | 87 |
| Hemel Stags | 12–22 | London Skolars | 26 February 2017, 14:30 | Pennine Way Stadium | S. Race | 112 |
| Doncaster | 34–6 | Myton Warriors | 26 February 2017, 15:00 | Keepmoat Stadium | L. Moore | 366 |
| York City Knights | 48–8 | Egremont Rangers | 26 February 2017, 15:00 | Bootham Crescent | L. Staveley | 635 |
| South Wales Ironmen | 4–18 | Oxford Rugby League | 26 February 2017, 15:00 | The Wern | N. Bennett | 115 |
| Hunslet | 34–0 | Coventry Bears | 26 February 2017, 15:00 | South Leeds Stadium | S. Mikalauskas | 249 |
| Source: |||||||||

## Fourth round

The winners of the 12 third-round ties were joined in the fourth round by the 12 teams in the Championship. The draw was made on board HMS Bulwark on Tuesday 28 February. The draw was made by former St Helens player, Paul Sculthorpe and the chairman of the Royal Marine Rugby League Association, Major Jack Duckitt. Ties were played over the weekend of 17–19 March with the exception of the Whitehaven v Oxford fixture which was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| London Broncos | 26–30 | Toronto Wolfpack | 17 March 2017, 20:00 | Trailfinders Sports Ground | S. Mikalauskas | 758 |
| Dewsbury Rams | 36–8 | Newcastle Thunder | 17 March 2017, 20:00 | Tetley's Stadium | J. McMullen | 425 |
| Oldham | 40–12 | Haydock ARLFC | 18 March 2017, 13:00 | Bower Fold | N. Bennett | 743 |
| Toulouse Olympique | 16–34 | Batley Bulldogs | 18 March 2017, 14:00 | Stade Ernest-Argelès | J. Child | 150 |
| Swinton Lions | 40 – 8 | London Skolars | 18 March 2017, 15:00 | Heywood Road | G. Dolan | 200 |
| Barrow Raiders | 20–0 | Keighley Cougars | 18 March 2017, 18:30 | Craven Park, Barrow-in-Furness | G. Hewer | 721 |
| Bradford Bulls | 13–21 | Featherstone Rovers | 19 March 2017, 15:00 | Provident Stadium | C. Straw | 2,458 |
| Gloucestershire All Golds | 22–48 | Doncaster | 19 March 2017, 15:00 | Keepmoat Stadium | M. Rossleigh | 280 |
| Halifax | 20–6 | Hunslet | 19 March 2017, 15:00 | The Shay | T. Grant | 793 |
| Hull Kingston Rovers | 48–10 | Sheffield Eagles | 19 March 2017, 15:00 | Craven Park | J. Roberts | 3,408 |
| York City Knights | 26–20 | Rochdale Hornets | 19 March 2017, 15:00 | Bootham Crescent | B. Robinson | 652 |
| Whitehaven | 46–14 | Oxford | 26 March 2017, 14:00 | Recreation Ground | T. Crashley | 375 |
| Source: |||||||||
* ↑ Originally scheduled for Prince of Wales Stadium but due to the ground being unavailable for the All Golds, tie swapped to Doncaster
* ↑ Original match (19 March) postponed due to a waterlogged pitch

## Fifth round

The fifth round draw sees the entry of four Super League clubs, these being those that finished the top of the 2016 Qualifiers. The draw was made live on the BBC Radio 5 Live breakfast show on Tuesday 21 March at 7-45 am. The draw was made by show host, Rachel Burden, and former international player, at both codes, Jason Robinson.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Leeds Rhinos | 64–28 | Doncaster | 21 April 2017, 20:00 | Headingley Carnegie Stadium | C. Campbell | 5,097 |
| Leigh Centurions | 10–23 | Hull Kingston Rovers | 22 April 2017, 15:00 | Leigh Sports Village | J. Child | 3,880 |
| Salford Red Devils | 29–22 | Toronto Wolfpack | 23 April 2017, 12:15 | AJ Bell Stadium | J. Smith | 1,318 |
| Huddersfield Giants | 24–28 | Swinton Lions | 23 April 2017, 12:30 | John Smith's Stadium | S. Mikalauskas | 1,292 |
| Featherstone Rovers | 30–4 | Oldham | 23 April 2017, 15:00 | The Big Fellas Stadium | T. Grant | 1,408 |
| Dewsbury Rams | 23–22 | Batley Bulldogs | 23 April 2017, 15:00 | Tetley's Stadium | J. Roberts | 962 |
| Whitehaven | 12–36 | Halifax | 23 April 2017, 15:00 | Recreation Ground | L. Moore | 636 |
| York City Knights | 28–50 | Barrow Raiders | 23 April 2017, 15:00 | Bootham Crescent | J. McMullen | 904 |
| Source: |||||||||

## Sixth round

The draw for the sixth round was made on Tuesday 25 April live on the BBC News channel during the 6-30pm Sportsday programme. The draw was made by former players Chris Joynt and Keith Senior.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Featherstone Rovers | 24–12 | Halifax | 11 May 2017, 20:00 | The Big Fellas Stadium | C. Campbell | 1,736 |
| Salford Red Devils | 24–14 | Hull Kingston Rovers | 12 May 2017, 20:00 | AJ Bell Stadium | R. Hicks | 3,100 |
| Dewsbury Rams | 6–54 | Wakefield Trinity | 12 May 2017, 20:00 | Tetley's Stadium | S. Mikalauskas | 2,125 |
| Hull | 62–0 | Catalans Dragons | 12 May 2017, 20:00 | KCOM Stadium | B. Thaler | 6,470 |
| Castleford Tigers | 53–10 | St. Helens | 13 May 2017, 14:30 | Mend-A-Hose Jungle | P. Bentham | 5,216 |
| Leeds Rhinos | 72–10 | Barrow Raiders | 14 May 2017, 15:00 | Headingley | J. Smith | 5,226 |
| Swinton Lions | 12–42 | Wigan Warriors | 14 May 2017, 15:00 | Heywood Road | C. Kendall | 2,003 |
| Warrington Wolves | 34–20 | Widnes Vikings | 14 May 2017, 15:00 | Halliwell Jones Stadium | J. Child | 5,971 |
| Source: |||||||||

## Quarter-finals

The draw for the quarter finals was made immediately after the conclusion of the last sixth round match. Home teams were drawn by former Welsh international Iestyn Harris and away teams by Leigh captain Micky Higham.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Salford Red Devils | 30–6 | Wakefield Trinity | 15 June, 20:00 | AJ Bell Stadium | R. Hicks | 2,820 |
| Leeds Rhinos | 58–0 | Featherstone Rovers | 16 June, 20:00 | Headingley | C. Kendall | 6,181 |
| Warrington Wolves | 26–27 | Wigan Warriors | 17 June, 15:00 | Halliwell Jones Stadium | B. Thaler | 7,312 |
| Hull | 32–24 | Castleford Tigers | 18 June, 15:00 | KCOM Stadium | P. Bentham | 11,944 |

## Semi-final

The semi-final draw was conducted on BBC 2 immediately after Hull's 32–24 victory over Castleford Tigers. Conducting the draw were two Challenge Cup winning team members; Danny Brough (2005) and Barry Johnson (1986). The ties were played at neutral venues; after the draw these were announced as Doncaster and Warrington.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Hull | 43–24 | Leeds Rhinos | 29 July 2017, 14:30 | Keepmoat Stadium | P. Bentham | 14,526 |
| Wigan Warriors | 27–14 | Salford Red Devils | 30 July 2017, 14:30 | Halliwell Jones Stadium | J. Child | 10,796 |

## Final

| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Hull | 18–14 | Wigan Warriors | 26 August 2017, 15:00 | Wembley Stadium | Phil Bentham | 68,525 |
Teams:
Hull: Jamie Shaul, Mahe Fonua, Josh Griffin, Carlos Tuimavave, Fetuli Talanoa, Albert Kelly, Marc Sneyd, Liam Watts, Danny Houghton, Scott Taylor, Sika Manu, Mark Minichiello, Gareth Ellis (captain).
Substitutes (all used): Chris Green, Danny Washbrook, Josh Bowden, Jake Connor. Tries: Talanoa (1), Fonua (2). Goals: Sneyd (3/3).
Wigan Warriors: Sam Tomkins, Liam Marshall, Anthony Gelling, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, George Williams, Thomas Leuluai, Frank Paul Nuuausala, Michael McIlorum, Tony Clubb, John Bateman, Liam Farrell, Sean O'Loughlin (captain).
Substitutes (all used): Willie Isa, Ryan Sutton, Sam Powell, Taulima Tautai. Tries: Bateman (1), Gildart (1), Burgess (1). Goals: Williams (1/3).
Lance Todd Trophy Winner: Marc Sneyd

## Broadcasts

The primary broadcast organisation for the competition was BBC Sport. On 24 January the RFL announced that the BBC would be streaming 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. The fifth-round game between Salford and Toronto was streamed live on Facebook (excluding the United Kingdom and Ireland) after the RFL and both clubs agreed a deal over global broadcast rights.
Sky Sports also have broadcasting rights after the fifth round and showed two games from the sixth round live.

### Live matches

| Round | Match | Date | Broadcast method |
| 1st | Leigh Miners Rangers v Wigan St Patricks | 28 January, 13:00 | streamed BBC Sport |
| 2nd | Pilkington Recs v Siddal | 11 February, 14:15 | streamed BBC Sport |
| 3rd | Siddal v Toronto | 25 February, 13:00 | streamed BBC Sport |
| 4th | Oldham v Haydock | 18 March, 13:00 | streamed BBC Sport |
| 5th | Whitehaven v Halifax | 23 April, 15:00 | streamed BBC Sport |
| 5th | Salford v Toronto | 23 April, 12:15 | streamed Facebook (not UK and Ireland) |
| 6th | Featherstone v Halifax | 11 May, 20:00 | live Sky Sports |
| 6th | Salford v Hull Kingston Rovers | 12 May, 20:00 | live Sky Sports |
| 6th | Castleford v St. Helens | 13 May, 14:30 | live BBC One |
| 6th | Warrington v Widnes | 14 May, 15:00 | live BBC Two |
| QF | Salford v Wakefield Trinity | 15 June, 20:00 | live Sky Sports |
| QF | Leeds v Featherstone Rovers | 16 June, 20:00 | live Sky Sports |
| QF | Warrington v Wigan | 17 June, 15:00 | live BBC One |
| QF | Hull F.C. v Castleford | 18 June, 15:00 | live BBC Two |
| SF | Hull F.C. v Leeds | 29 July, 14:30 | live BBC One |
| SF | Wigan v Salford | 30 July, 14:30 | live BBC Two |
| F | Hull F.C. v Wigan | 26 August, 15:00 | live BBC One |