# 2013 Challenge Cup

The 2013 Challenge Cup (also known as the Tetley's Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 112th staging of the most competitive European rugby league tournament at club level and was open to teams from England, Wales, Scotland and France. It began its preliminary stages in October 2012.
Warrington were the reigning champions, but lost 12–16 to Hull F.C. in the semifinal, who would go on to lose the final 0–16 to Wigan.

## First qualifying round

The draw for the first qualifying round was made on Wednesday 10 October 2012 at Carrwood Park in Leeds, and took place on the weekend of 27/28 October 2012. A total of 40 teams played in the qualifying rounds. The clubs involved included 22 NCL Divisions 1 and 2, 5 regional league winners, the Yorkshire and Lancashire County Cup winners, 1 Cumberland ARL nomination and the British Police. Also in the draw were the Scottish champions and a Welsh representative, 4 teams from the 2011 Rugby League Conference National, 6 Student teams and a North West League representative. The teams were drawn out by Damian Clayton MBE, the representative for the Armed Forces on the Community Board, and Martin Coyd, the Tier 4 representative. A total of 57 community teams were involved in the 2013 competition which culminated at Wembley in August; the three Armed Services teams and 14 Conference League Premier teams entered the competition at a later stage.
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | Match information | Match information | Match information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Featherstone Lions | 28 – 14 | Stanley Rangers | 27 October 2012, 14:00 | Millpond Stadium | Paul Ward | |
| Eastmoor Dragons | 32 – 22 | Loughborough University | 27 October 2012, 14:00 | Eastmoor Sports and Social Club | Brandon Robinson | |
| Huddersfield Underbank Rangers | 32 – 6 | Heworth | 27 October 2012, 14:00 | The Cross Grounds | Jason Woodman | |
| Dewsbury Celtic | 16 – 19 | Ovenden RLFC | 27 October 2012, 14:00 | Dewsbury INLC | Paul Stockman | |
| East Leeds | 18 – 16 | Drighlington RLFC | 27 October 2012, 14:00 | East End Park | Jonathan Roberts | |
| Bank Quay Bulls | 52 – 12 | Castleford Panthers | 27 October 2012, 14:00 | Dallam Playing Fields | Mark Craven | |
| Warrington Wizards | 4 – 18 | British Police | 28 October 2012, 14:00 | Wilderspool Stadium | Craig Kay | |
| Askam RLFC | 14 – 28 | Millom RLFC | 27 October 2012, 14:00 | Fallowfield Park | Scott Mikalauskas | |
| Blackbrook Royals | 22 – 6 | Lock Lane | 27 October 2012, 14:00 | Blackbrook Sports & Recreation Club | Paul Marklove | |
| Northumbria University | 16 – 20 | Milford Marlins | 3 November 2012, 14:00 | Cochrane Park | Mark Laing | |
| Stanningley RLFC | 4 – 40 | Widnes West Bank | 27 October 2012, 14:00 | Arthur Miller Stadium | Gareth Evans | |
| Normanton Knights | 48 – 16 | York Acorn | 3 November 2012, 13:30 | Queen Elizabeth Drive | Brandon Robinson | |
| Bristol Sonics | 24 – 36 | Eccles & Salford Juniors | 27 October 2012, 14:00 | Aretians RFC | Darren Hayes | |
| Kells | 8 – 12 | Egremont Rangers | 13 November 2012, 19:30 | Recreation Ground | Chris Kendall | |
| Hunslet Old Boys | 18 – 0 | St Marys University | 3 November 2012, 14:00 | Hillidge Road | Andy Sweet | |
| Rochdale Mayfield | 24 – 0 | Hull University | 27 October 2012, 14:00 | Mayfield Sports Arena | Jamie Callaghan | |
| Leeds Metropolitan University | 34 – 10 | Elland RLFC | 27 October 2012, 14:00 | Milford Sports Club | Joachim Abimelech | |
| Hunslet Warriors | 26 – 22 | Wigan St Judes | 27 October 2012, 14:00 | The Oval | Michael Mannifield | |
| Bradford Dudley Hill | 24 – 0 | Bonymaen Broncos | 27 October 2012, 14:00 | Neil Hunt Memorial Ground | John McMullen | |
| Shaw Cross Sharks ARLFC | 10 – 38 | Pilkington Recs | 27 October 2012, 14:00 | Paul Hinchliffe Memorial Ground | Adam Gill | |

### Notes

A.^ Game switched to Recreation Ground (Whitehaven). B.^ Withdrew from Challenge Cup due to player shortages.

## Second qualifying round

The Draw for the second qualifying round was made on Wednesday 10 October at Carrwood Park in Leeds, and the ties took place on 3/4 November 2012. The 20 winners from the first qualifying round were involved with the three Armed Services teams and 14 Conference League Premier teams entering the competition at a later stage.
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | Match information | Match information | Match information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Bradford Dudley Hill | 68 – 12 | Eastmoor Dragons | 3 November 2012, 14:00 | Neil Hunt Memorial Ground | Jamie Callaghan | |
| Milford Marlins | 34 – 4 | Ovenden RLFC | 17 November 2012, 13:30 | Milford Sports Club | Chris Campbell | |
| Rochdale Mayfield | 22 – 43 | Bank Quay Bulls | 10 November 2012, 14:00 | Mayfield Sports Arena | Andy Bentham | |
| Pilkington Recs | 32 – 12 | Featherstone Lions | 3 November 2012, 14:00 | Ruskin Drive | Mike Woodhead | |
| British Police | 10 – 36 | Blackbrook Royals | 4 November 2012, 14:00 | Siddal ARLFC | Craig Kay | |
| Huddersfield Underbank Rangers | 6 – 22 | Leeds Metropolitan University | 4 November 2012, 14:00 | The Cross Grounds | Rob Webb | |
| Normanton Knights | 18 – 23 | Hunslet Old Boys | 10 November 2012, 13:30 | Queen Elizabeth Drive | Jamie Bloem | |
| East Leeds | 26 – 18 | Hunslet Warriors | 3 November 2012, 14:00 | East End Park | Chris Campbell | |
| Widnes West Bank | 18 – 6 | Egremont Rangers | 17 November 2012, 14:00 | Arthur Miller Stadium | | |
| Millom RLFC | 40 – 12 | Eccles & Salford Juniors | 10 November 2012, 14:00 | Coronation Field | Craig Kay | |

### Notes

C.^ Withdrew from Challenge Cup.

## First round

The draw for the first round of the 2013 Challenge Cup was held at the RFL's Red Hall headquarters in Leeds on 29 October. The home teams were drawn by Paul Kilbride, a former professional rugby league footballer who has been supported by the RL Benevolent Fund since suffering a serious injury while playing, and the away teams were drawn by Rugby League Cares General Manager Chris Rostron.
The first round took place on the weekend of 1 and 2 December 2012, although the match between Bradford Dudley Hill and Leeds Met was played on 10 November. The match between Millom RLFC and Blackbrook Royals eventually had to be cancelled as the tie had been postponed four times and the away team, Blackbrook received a bye to Round 2.
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | Match information | Match information | Match information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Pilkington Recs | 18 – 19 | Milford Marlins | 1 December 2012, 14:00 | Ruskin Drive | Jamie Bloem | |
| Bradford Dudley Hill | 24 – 28 | Leeds Metropolitan University | 10 November 2012, 14:00 | Neil Hunt Memorial Ground | Chris Campbell | |
| Millom RLFC | w/o | Blackbrook Royals | 9 December 2012, 13:30 | Fallowfield Park | Curtis Braithwaite | |
| Bank Quay Bulls | 17 – 38 | East Leeds | 1 December 2012, 13:30 | Dallam Playing Fields | Dave Sharpe | |
| Hunslet Old Boys | 17 – 16 † | Widnes West Bank | 1 December 2012, 13:30 | Hillidge Road | Michael Mannifield | |
| Source: |||||||||
Notes: † – After extra time

## Second round

The draw for the second round of the 2013 Challenge Cup was held at Millom Rugby League Club on 18 January. The draw involved 14 Conference League Premier clubs, the three Armed Services teams and the five clubs that had progressed from the first round. The balls were drawn by Millom club stalwart Gary Kelly and Workington Town player Peter Lupton, who played for Millom as a junior before signing professional terms at London Broncos. The second round took place on the weekend of 9/10 March 2013.
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | Match information | Match information | Match information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Myton Warriors | 6 – 4 | Leeds Metropolitan University | 9 March 2013, 13:30 | Marist Sporting Club | Michael Mannifield | |
| West Hull | 22 – 12 | Hull Dockers | 9 March 2013, 14:00 | Walter Simpson Park | Greg Dolan | |
| Hunslet Old Boys | 24 - 0 | Saddleworth Rangers | 9 March 2013, 14:00 | Hillidge Road | Mark Craven | |
| Leigh Miners Rangers | 16 – 6 | Milford Marlins | 9 March 2013, 14:30 | Twist Lane | Neil Aspey | |
| Wigan St Patricks | 22 – 24 | Thatto Heath Crusaders | 9 March 2013, 14:30 | Clarington Park | Paul Marklove | |
| East Hull | 20 – 28 | Siddal | 9 March 2013, 14:00 | Rosemead Sports Centre | Chris Hancock | |
| Royal Air Force | 0 – 20 | East Leeds | 9 March 2013, 14:00 | RAF Cranwell | Tom Grant | |
| Blackbrook Royals | 20 – 16 † | Oulton Raiders | 9 March 2013, 14:00 | Blackbrook Sports & Recreation Club | Phil Graham | |
| Leigh East | 28 – 24 | British Army | 9 March 2013, 14:00 | Leigh Sports Village | Mike Woodhead | |
| Royal Navy | 4 – 36 | Skirlaugh | 9 March 2013, 14:00 | United Services Sports Ground | John Ashton | |
| Ince Rose Bridge | 20 – 10 | Wath Brow Hornets | 9 March 2013, 14:00 | Pinfold Street | Andy Bentham | |
| Source: |||||||||
Notes: † – After extra time

## Third round

The draw for the third round was hosted in the Rugby Pavilion at the home of Oxford RL, the historic Iffley Road sports ground in Oxford on 13 March 2013 at 13:00 GMT. The draw was made by the actor Kevin Whately, who starred in the TV series Inspector Morse and its spin-off Lewis, and Bruce Ray, the communications director of Carlsberg UK, who own the Tetley's brand that sponsors the 2013 tournament.
The third round of the Challenge Cup had the entry of the 23 Kingstone Press Championship and Championship One clubs, which for the first time in the competition, included Oxford, Hemel Stags and the Gloucestershire All Golds.
The third round matches took place on the weekend of 6 and 7 April 2013.
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | Match information | Match information | Match information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| West Hull | 6 – 82 | North Wales Crusaders | 6 April 2013, 14:30 BST | Wilderspool Stadium | Dave Merrick | 230 |
| Swinton Lions | 18 – 56 | Toulouse Olympique | 6 April 2013, 15:00 BST | Leigh Sports Village | George Stokes | 450 |
| Leigh Centurions | 50 – 4 | East Leeds | 6 April 2013, 17:30 BST | Leigh Sports Village | Greg Dolan | 728 |
| South Wales Scorpions | 22 – 52 | Doncaster | 6 April 2013, 17:30 BST | The Gnoll | Joe Cobb | 456 |
| Batley Bulldogs | 72 – 0 | Gateshead Thunder | 7 April 2013, 14:00 BST | LoveRugbyLeague.com Stadium | Ronnie Laughton | 484 |
| Whitehaven | 38 – 32 | London Skolars | 7 April 2013, 14:00 BST | Recreation Ground | Chris Leatherbarrow | 440 |
| Ince Rose Bridge | 18 – 50 | Hemel Stags | 7 April 2013, 14:30 BST | Douglas Valley | Warren Turley | |
| Barrow Raiders | 28 – 12 | Leigh Miners Rangers | 7 April 2013, 15:00 BST | Craven Park | Chris Kendall | 826 |
| Blackbrook A.R.L.F.C. | 24 – 26 | York City Knights | 7 April 2013, 15:00 BST | Langtree Park | Peter Brooke | |
| Dewsbury Rams | 56 – 6 | Myton Warriors | 7 April 2013, 15:00 BST | Tetley's Stadium | Chris Campbell | 404 |
| Featherstone Rovers | 76 – 6 | Thatto Heath Crusaders | 7 April 2013, 15:00 BST | Post Office Road | Adam Gill | 735 |
| Halifax | 54 – 12 | Oxford | 7 April 2013 15:00 BST | The Shay | Gareth Hewer | 1,000 |
| Hunslet Hawks | 36 – 10 | Oldham | 7 April 2013, 15:00 BST | South Leeds Stadium | Matt Thomason | 326 |
| Rochdale Hornets | 40 – 4 | Hunslet Old Boys | 7 April 2013, 15:00 BST | Spotland Stadium | Dave Sharpe | 414 |
| Sheffield Eagles | 112 – 6 | Leigh East | 7 April 2013, 15:00 BST | Don Valley Stadium | Scott Mikalauskas | 333 |
| Skirlaugh | 16 – 26 | Gloucestershire All Golds | 7 April 2013, 15:00 BST | Hull RUFC | Tom Crashley | 260 |
| Workington Town | 24 – 16 | AS Carcassonne | 7 April 2013, 15:00 BST | Derwent Park | Jamie Leahy | 598 |
| Siddal | 14 – 30 | Keighley Cougars | 7 April 2013, 15:30 BST | Huddersfield YMCA | Jamie Bloem | 521 |
| Source: |||||||||
Notes:
    D.^ Match moved to Wilderspool in Warrington
    E.^ Match moved to St. Helens's Langtree Park
    F.^ Match move to Hull RUFC
    G.^ Match move to Laund Hill

## Fourth round

The draw for the fourth round of the 2013 Challenge Cup took place on 8 April 2013 at 15:30 BST at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington. The draw saw the 14 Super League teams joined by the 18 winning teams from the third round. The draw was made by Rugby League Hall of Fame member Alex Murphy and Bruce Ray, who is Communications Director of Carlsberg UK, the parent company of title sponsors Tetley's and was broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live. Matches took place on 19, 20 and 21 April 2013 with the Hull Kingston Rovers vs St. Helens match being shown live on BBC One.
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | Match information | Match information | Match information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Leeds Rhinos | 28 – 12 | Castleford Tigers | 19 April 2013, 20:00 BST | Headingley | Phil Bentham | 8,130 |
| Widnes Vikings | 42 – 28 | Doncaster | 19 April 2013, 20:00 BST | Stobart Stadium | Tim Roby | 1,965 |
| Wigan Warriors | 60 – 10 | Leigh Centurions | 19 April 2013, 20:00 BST | DW Stadium | Matt Thomason | 6,889 |
| Hull Kingston Rovers | 26 – 18 | St. Helens | 20 April 2013, 14:30 BST | MS3 Craven Park | Richard Silverwood | 4,454 |
| London Broncos | 24 – 12 | Featherstone Rovers | 20 April 2013, 15:00 BST | Twickenham Stoop | Thierry Alibert | 1,217 |
| Sheffield Eagles | 30 – 16 | Dewsbury Rams | 20 April 2013, 15:00 BST | Don Valley Stadium | Gareth Hewer | 467 |
| Hemel Stags | 6 – 66 | Wakefield Trinity | 20 April 2013, 18:00 BST | Rapid Solicitors Stadium | Peter Brooke | 2,456 |
| Hull | 62 – 6 | North Wales Crusaders | 21 April 2013, 13:00 BST | KC Stadium | Chris Leatherbarrow | 3,879 |
| Hunslet | 12 – 50 | Catalans Dragons | 21 April 2013, 13:00 BST | South Leeds Stadium | George Stokes | 600 |
| Batley Bulldogs | 4 – 13 | Huddersfield Giants | 21 April 2013, 14:00 BST | Mount Pleasant | Ben Thaler | 2,067 |
| Gloucestershire All Golds | 6 – 82 | Salford | 21 April 2013, 15:00 BST | Prince of Wales Stadium | Tim Crashley | 553 |
| Halifax | 52 – 6 | Barrow Raiders | 21 April 2013, 15:00 BST | The Shay | Joe Cobb | 1,110 |
| Keighley Cougars | 4 – 74 | Warrington Wolves | 21 April 2013, 15:00 BST | Cougar Park | James Child | 1,413 |
| Rochdale Hornets | 10 – 70 | Bradford Bulls | 21 April 2013, 15:00 BST | Spotland Stadium | Robert Hicks | 1,722 |
| Whitehaven | 12 – 16 | Workington Town | 21 April 2013, 15:00 BST | Recreation Ground | Ronnie Laughton | 1,600 |
| York City Knights | 30 – 28 | Toulouse Olympique | 21 April 2013, 15:00 BST | Huntington Stadium | Dave Merrick | 431 |
| Source: |||||||||
Notes: H.^ Match moved to Wakefield Trinity's Belle Vue Stadium.

## Fifth round

The draw for the fifth round of the 2013 Challenge Cup took place on Monday 22 April 2013 at 15:30 BST on BBC Radio 5 Live with ex-Wigan player Billy Boston making the draw. Matches were played on 10, 11 and 12 May 2013 with the Huddersfield-Leeds match shown live on BBC One on 11 May.
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | Match information | Match information | Match information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Hull | 24 – 6 | Wakefield Trinity | 10 May 2013, 20:00 BST | KC Stadium | Tim Roby | 7,697 |
| London Broncos | 25 – 16 | Bradford Bulls | 10 May 2013, 20:00 BST | Twickenham Stoop | James Child | 1,237 |
| Sheffield Eagles | 28 – 12 | Halifax | 10 May 2013, 20:00 BST | Don Valley Stadium | Ben Thaler | 782 |
| Huddersfield Giants | 24 – 8 | Leeds Rhinos | 11 May 2013, 14:30 BST | John Smith's Stadium | Phil Bentham | 11,389 |
| Catalans Dragons | 92 – 8 | York City Knights | 12 May 2013, 15:00 CEST | Stade Gilbert Brutus | Thierry Alibert | 3,105 |
| Hull Kingston Rovers | 14 – 46 | Wigan Warriors | 12 May 2013, 15:00 BST | MS3 Craven Park | Richard Silverwood | 4,280 |
| Warrington Wolves | 52 – 6 | Salford City Reds | 12 May 2013, 15:00 BST | Halliwell Jones Stadium | Robert Hicks | 5,451 |
| Workington Town | 0 – 36 | Widnes Vikings | 12 May 2013, 15:00 BST | Derwent Park | George Stokes | 1,657 |
| Source: |||||||||

## Quarter-finals

The draw for the quarter-finals took place on 18 May with the draw shown on BBC Breakfast on BBC One by presenters Louise Minchin and Charlie Stayt. Matches took place over four days between 12 and 15 July 2013 with matches on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July shown live on BBC Two and the matches on Friday 12 and Monday 15 July shown live by Sky Sports.
| Home | Score | Away | Match information | Match information | Match information | Match information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Sheffield Eagles | 10 – 29 | London Broncos | 12 July, 20:00 BST | Don Valley Stadium | James Child | 2,459 |
| Catalans Dragons | 13 – 24 | Hull | 13 July, 16:00 BST / 17:00 CEST | Stade Gilbert Brutus | Richard Silverwood | 6,500 |
| Warrington Wolves | 44 – 24 | Huddersfield Giants | 14 July, 16:15 BST | Halliwell Jones Stadium | Phil Bentham | 7,603 |
| Wigan Warriors | 48 – 4 | Widnes Vikings | 15 July, 20:00 BST | DW Stadium | Ben Thaler | 6,327 |
| Source: |||||||||

## Semi-finals

The draw for the semifinals of the 2013 Challenge Cup took place on 14 July on BBC Two after the televised Warrington-Huddersfield match on the same channel and was made by Des Drummond and Henderson Gill. The matches took place on 27 and 28 July 2013 at neutral venues.
* 27 July 17:00 BST
| Wigan Warriors | 70 – 0 | London Broncos |
* Leigh Sports Village, Leigh Attendance: 6,274 Referee: Phil Bentham
* 28 July 18:00 BST
| Hull | 16–12 | Warrington Wolves |
* John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield Attendance: 10,621 Referee: Richard Silverwood

## Final

The final of the 2013 Challenge Cup took place on 24 August 2013 at Wembley Stadium with the match kicking off at 15:00 BST. The match was shown live on BBC One with Wigan winning 16–0.
* 24 August 15:00 BST
| Hull | 0 – 16 | Wigan Warriors |
* Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 78,137 Referee: Phil Bentham
Teams:
Hull: Jamie Shaul, Jason Crookes, Ben Crooks, Kirk Yeaman, Tom Briscoe, Daniel Holdsworth, Jacob Miller, Mark O'Meley, Danny Houghton, Liam Watts, Gareth Ellis, (captain) Danny Tickle, Joe Westerman. Coach: Peter Gentle
Replacements: Richard Whiting, Andy Lynch, Aaron Heremaia, Jay Pitts.
Wigan Warriors: Sam Tomkins, Josh Charnley, Darrell Goulding, Iain Thornley, Pat Richards, Blake Green, Matty Smith, Ben Flower, Michael McIlorum, Lee Mossop, Harrison Hansen, Liam Farrell, Sean O'Loughlin (captain). Coach: Shaun Wane
Replacements: Gil Dudson, Scott Taylor, Chris Tuson, Logan Tomkins. Tries: Thornley (1), S Tomkins (1) Goals: Richards (4).

## UK Broadcasting rights

The tournament was jointly televised by the BBC and Sky Sports on the second of their five-year contracts.
| Round | Live match | Date | BBC channel |
| Fourth Round | Hull Kingston Rovers 26 - 18 St. Helens | April 20, 2013 | BBC One |
| Fifth Round | Huddersfield Giants 24 - 8 Leeds Rhinos | May 11, 2013 | BBC One |
| Quarter finals | Catalans Dragons 13 - 24 Hull Warrington Wolves 44 - 24 Huddersfield Giants | July 13, 2013 July 14, 2013 | BBC Two |
| Semifinals | Wigan Warriors 70 - 0 London Broncos Hull F.C. 16 - 12 Warrington Wolves | July 27 July 28 | BBC Two |
| Final | Hull F.C. 0 - 16 Wigan Warriors | August 24 | BBC One* |
* Except Scotland
Sky Sports televised the other two quarter final matches live. The first on Friday July 12 between Sheffield Eagles and London Broncos and the second on Monday July 15 between Warrington Wolves and Huddersfield Giants.