# 2011 Challenge Cup

The 2011 Challenge Cup (also known as the Carnegie Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 110th staging of the most competitive European rugby league tournament at club level and was open to teams from England, Wales, Scotland, France and Russia. It began its preliminary stages in January 2011. The Challenge Cup is Warrington Wolves were the reigning champions, but lost 24 - 44 at home to the Wigan Warriors in the quarter-finals, who went on to win the title after beating Leeds Rhinos 28 - 18 in the final. Rugby Football League chief executive Nigel Wood reported that in 2011 Challenge Cup viewing figures on BBC Television had increased by 21.3 per cent compared to 2010 and are 26.8 per cent higher than they were in 2009.

## Preliminary round

The draws for the Preliminary and First Round was made on 7 December 2010. Ties were played on 8–10 January with some ties played on 15–16 January.

### Pool A

| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Oulton Raiders | 23–22 | Normanton Knights | 15 January 2011 13:30 | Raider Park | D Sharpe | |
| Ovendon | 26–28 | Rochdale Mayfield | 8 January 2011 13:30 | Four Fields | T Mahar | |
| Millom | 8–12 | Egremont Rangers | 8 January 2011 13:30 | Coronation Field | A Smith | |
| Eccles and Salford Juniors | 26–6 | Castleford Panthers | 8 January 2011 13:30 | Moat Hall | R Cowling | |
| Yorkshire Cup winners | 0–0 | Drighlington | Match cancelled | | B Robinson | |
| Shaw Cross Sharks ARLFC | 20–21 | Stanley Rangers | 8 January 2011 13:30 | Paul Hinchliffe Memorial | C Kendall | |
| Bank Quay Bulls | 26–18 | Seaton Rangers | 15 January 2011 13:30 | Dallam Playing Fields | C Kendall | |

### Pool B

| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| St Albans Centurions | 22–32 | British Police | 9 January 2011 14:00 | Pennine Way | S Davis | 50 |
| Loughborough University | 38–0 | Featherstone Lions | 16 January 2011 13:30 | Loughborough University | J Bloem | |
| Northampton Demons | 46–10 | Gloucester University | 16 January 2011 13:30 | Rushmills | P Marklove | |

## Round 1

First Round played weekend of 22 January with some ties played weekend of 29 January and 5 February. The match between Kells and Bradford Dudley Hill took place on 12 February.

### Pool A

| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| East Leeds | 36–10 | Crosfields | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Richmond Hill | G Evans | |
| East Hull | 24–10 | Saddleworth Rangers | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Rosmead Sports Centre | B Robinson | |
| Leigh East | 58–6 | Heworth | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Ledgard Street | A Smith | |
| Fryston Warriors | 30–4 | Stanningley | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Askham Road | D Sharpe | |
| Eccles and Salford Juniors | 6–30 | Wigan St Patricks | 29 January 2011 13:30 | Moat Hall | P Marklove | 85 |
| Wigan St Judes | 22–20 | West Bowling | 29 January 2011 13:30 | Parsons Meadow | J Cobb | |
| Skirlaugh Bulls | 16–14 | Oulton Raiders | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Eastside Sports Centre | T Crashley | |
| Wath Brow Hornets | 18–0 | Norland Sharks | 30 January 2011 13:30 | Cleator | D Sharp | |
| Rochdale Mayfield | 38–14 | Bank Quay Bulls | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Mayfield Sports Centre | T Mahar | |
| Drighlington | 12–13 | Hunslet Warriors | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Wakefield Road | A Gill | |
| York Acorn | 24–35 | Milford Marlins | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Thanet Road | A Sweet | |
| Stanley Rangers | 24–10 | Widnes St Maries | 29 January 2011 13:30 | Stanley Sports and Social Club | M Woodhead | |
| Elland | 16–20 | Thatto Heath Crusaders | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Greetland Community Centre | C Brathwaite | |
| Kells | 14–22 | Bradford Dudley Hill | 12 February 2011 13:30 | Ravenhill Lane | S Mikalauskas | |
| Myton Warriors | 34–0 | Ince Rose Bridge | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Marist Sporting Club | M Craven | |
| Siddal | 58–18 | Eastmoor Dragons | 30 January 2011 13:30 | Siddal Sports Centre | C Kendall | |
| Oldham St Annes | 16–30 | Hull Dockers | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Higginshaw Road | L Fellows | |
| Castleford Lock Lane | 38–4 | Halton Sims Cross | 30 January 2011 13:30 | Lock Lane Sports Centre | R Jones | |
| Leigh Miners Rangers | 28–10 | West Hull | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Twist Lane | N Aspey | |
| Waterhead | 24–28 | Egremont Rangers | 30 January 2011 13:30 | Waterhead Park | C Hancock | |

### Pool B

| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Loughborough University | 18–10 | Kippax Knights | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Loughborough University | P Stockman | |
| Northampton Demons | 12–26 | Leeds Met University | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Rushmills | S Ansell | |
| Nottingham Outlaws | 30–32 | RAF | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Highfields | R Webb | |
| Warrington Wizards | 44–18 | Carluke Tigers | 23 January 2011 13:30 | Wilderspool Stadium | S Barrie | |
| University of Central Lancashire | 12–20 | Northumbria University | 22 January 2011 13:30 | University of Central Lancashire | S Mikalauskas | |
| Edge Hill University | 28–16 | Hull University | 2 February 2011 19:30 | Edge Hill University | J Bloem | |
| Royal Navy | 28–14 | British Police | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Torpoint | M Hague | |
| Valley Cougars | 24–30 | The Army | 23 January 2011 13:30 | The Park Nelson | M Woodhead | |

## Round 2

The draw for the Second Round was made on 24 January. Ties played weekend of 5 February with some ties played weekend of 12 February. The match between Fryston Warriors and Bradford Dudley Hill took place on 19 February.

### Pool A

| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| East Leeds | 4–64 | Hull Dockers | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Richmond Hill | T Crashley | |
| Castleford Lock Lane | 18–16 | Stanley Rangers | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Lock Lane Sports Centre | C Kendall | |
| Milford Marlins | 24–16 | Skirlaugh Bulls | 12 February 2011 14:00 | Milford Sports Club | S Ansell | |
| Wigan St Patricks | 16–18 | Leigh Miners Rangers | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Harper Street | J Bloem | |
| Hunslet Warriors | 22–16 | Wigan St Judes | 5 February 2011 13:30 | The Oval | A Gill | |
| Fryston Warriors | 16–12 | Bradford Dudley Hill | 19 February 2011 14:00 | Askham Road | B Robinson | |
| Rochdale Mayfield | 12–25 | Siddal | 12 February 2011 14:30 | Mayfield Sports Centre | T Mahar | |
| East Hull | 31–22 | Myton Warriors | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Rosmead Sports Centre | C Halloran | |
| Egremont Rangers | 22–10 | Wath Brow Hornets | 5 February 2011 13:30 | North Road | J Cobb | |
| Leigh East | 16–18 | Thatto Heath Crusaders | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Ledgard Street | D Sharpe | |

### Pool B

| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| The Army | 27–16 | RAF | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Aldershot Rugby Stadium | P Stockman | |
| Loughborough University | 18–25 | Northumbria University | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Holywell Park | J Leahy | |
| Warrington Wizards | 28–20 | Royal Navy | 6 February 2011 13:30 | Wilderspool Stadium | P Brooke | |
| Leeds Metropolitan University | 44–14 | Hull University | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Leeds Metropolitan University | B Robinson | |

## Round 3

Third Round draw was made on 15 February. Ties were played on weekend of 5 March.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Siddal | 6–54 | Widnes Vikings | 6 March 2011 11:30 | The Shay | D Sharpe | 951 |
| Milford Marlins | 16–38 | Gateshead Thunder | 5 March 2011 14:30 | West Park Leeds RUFC | C Halloran | 400 |
| London Skolars | 60–24 | Egremont Rangers | 5 March 2011 15:30 | New River Stadium | G Stokes | 342 |
| Oldham R.L.F.C. | 28–16 | Hunslet Warriors | 6 March 2011 15:00 | Whitebank Stadium | C Leatherbarrow | 538 |
| Batley Bulldogs | 64–10 | Fryston Warriors | 6 March 2011 14:00 | Mount Pleasant | W Turley | 774 |
| Sheffield Eagles | 82–0 | Leeds Met University | 6 March 2011 15:00 | Don Valley Stadium | M Kidd | 350 |
| Whitehaven | 14–27 | Lézignan Sangliers | 5 March 2011 18:00 | Recreation Ground | M Thomason | 651 |
| Hunslet Hawks | 48–10 | Warrington Wizards | 6 March 2011 15:00 | South Leeds Stadium | T Mahar | 316 |
| Rochdale Hornets | 22–20 | Workington Town | 6 March 2011 15:00 | Spotland Stadium | T Roby | 358 |
| Featherstone Rovers | 86–0 | British Army | 5 March 2011 14:00 | Bigfellas Stadium | D Merrick | 723 |
| Doncaster | 34–22 | Thatto Heath Crusaders | 5 March 2011 15:00 | Keepmoat Stadium | B Robinson | 352 |
| Northumbria University | 0–132 | York City Knights | 6 March 2011 15:00 | Huntington Stadium | J Cobb | 434 |
| South Wales Scorpions | 6–62 | Dewsbury Rams | 6 March 2011 15:00 | The Gnoll | J Leahy | 356 |
| Leigh Miners Rangers | 26–56 | Barrow Raiders | 5 March 2011 14:30 | Leigh Sports Village | R Cowling | 633 |
| Keighley Cougars | 16–10 | Toulouse Olympique | 5 March 2011 18:00 | Cougar Park | R Laughton | 479 |
| Leigh Centurions | 68–24 | Hull Dockers | 6 March 2011 15:00 | Leigh Sports Village | T Crashley | 1,083 |
| Swinton Lions | 44–4 | East Hull | 5 March 2011 13:45 | The Willows | P Brooke | 305 |
| Halifax | 76–6 | Castleford Lock Lane | 6 March 2011 15:00 | The Shay | C Sharrad | 1,684 |

## Round 4

Fourth round draw was made on 20 March. Ties were played on weekend of 7 May.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Leigh Centurions | 16–22 | Catalans Dragons | 6 May 2011 20:00 | Leigh Sports Village | J Child | 2,237 |
| Gateshead Thunder | 0–70 | Harlequins | 6 May 2011 20:00 | Gateshead International Stadium | C Halloran | 402 |
| Hull FC | 82–0 | Oldham R.L.F.C. | 7 May 2011 13:00 | KC Stadium | C Leatherbarrow | 6,235 |
| St. Helens | 52–26 | Sheffield Eagles | 7 May 2011 15:00 | Stobart Stadium | B Thaler | 3,563 |
| Leeds Rhinos | 30–20 | Crusaders | 7 May 2011 15:15 | Headingley Stadium | S Ganson | 10,954 |
| Featherstone Rovers | 42–16 | Lézignan Sangliers | 7 May 2011 18:30 | Bigfellas Stadium | R Laughton | 827 |
| York City Knights | 22–64 | Hull Kingston Rovers | 8 May 2011 15:00 | Huntington Stadium | G Hewer | 2,463 |
| Warrington Wolves | 80–0 | Keighley Cougars | 8 May 2011 15:00 | Halliwell Jones Stadium | G Stokes | 6,583 |
| Wigan Warriors | 52–0 | Barrow Raiders | 8 May 2011 15:00 | DW Stadium | T Roby | 8,026 |
| London Skolars | 18–62 | Widnes Vikings | 8 May 2011 15:00 | New River Stadium | C Sharrad | 415 |
| Batley Bulldogs | 18–28 | Huddersfield Giants | 8 May 2011 15:00 | Mount Pleasant | R Hicks | 2,676 |
| Dewsbury Rams | 38–44 | Swinton Lions | 8 May 2011 15:00 | Ram Stadium | J Leahy | 692 |
| Hunslet Hawks | 2–68 | Salford City Reds | 8 May 2011 15:00 | South Leeds Stadium | W Turley | 649 |
| Rochdale Hornets | 10–72 | Castleford Tigers | 8 May 2011 15:00 | Spotland Stadium | T Alibert | 1,675 |
| Doncaster | 10–50 | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats | 8 May 2011 15:00 | Keepmoat Stadium | M Thomason | 1,823 |
| Halifax | 34–46 | Bradford Bulls | 8 May 2011 15:15 | The Shay | P Bentham | 5,045 |

## Round 5

| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Leeds Rhinos | 40–20 | Harlequins | 20 May 2011 20:00 | Headingley Stadium | B Thaler | 7,147 |
| Salford City Reds | 0–25 | Hull Kingston Rovers | 20 May 2011 20:00 | The Willows | T Alibert | 2,087 |
| Warrington Wolves | 112–0 | Swinton Lions | 20 May 2011 20:00 | Halliwell Jones Stadium | T Roby | 4,440 |
| Wakefield Trinity Wildcats | 18–20 | Castleford Tigers | 21 May 2011 14:30 | The Rapid Solicitors Stadium | R Silverwood | 6,604 |
| Widnes Vikings | 26–50 | Hull | 21 May 2011 15:00 | Stobart Stadium | R Hicks | 3,387 |
| Huddersfield Giants | 30–16 | Catalans Dragons | 22 May 2011 15:00 | Galpharm Stadium | P Bentham | 3,198 |
| St. Helens | 70–0 | Featherstone Rovers | 22 May 2011 15:00 | Stobart Stadium | J Child | 2,905 |
| Bradford Bulls | 22–26 | Wigan Warriors | 22 May 2011 15:30 | Grattan Stadium | S Ganson | 5,828 |

## Quarter finals

| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance |
| Warrington Wolves | 24–44 | Wigan Warriors | 23 July 2011 16:30 | Halliwell Jones Stadium | R Silverwood | 13,024 |
| Hull F.C. | 22–38 | Leeds Rhinos | 24 July 2011 15:30 | KC Stadium | S Ganson | 9,496 |
| Castleford Tigers | 22–18 | Huddersfield Giants | 24 July 2011 15:30 | PROBIZ Colliseum | P Bentham | 6,336 |
| St. Helens | 54–6 | Hull Kingston Rovers | 24 July 2011 15:00 | Stobart Stadium | B Thaler | 6,449 |

## Semi finals

* 6 August 2011 16:30
| Wigan Warriors | 18–12 | St. Helens |
* Halliwell Jones Stadium Attendance: 12,713 Referee: Richard Silverwood
* 7 August 2011 15:15
| Castleford Tigers | 8–10 aet | Leeds Rhinos |
* Keepmoat Stadium Attendance: 13,158 Referee: Phil Bentham

## Final

The two sides with the most Challenge Cup Final appearances had only met twice before, Wigan winning both times (1994 and 1995). Leeds had played in the previous year's Challenge Cup final loss, but it was the Wigan's Warriors' first visit to the new Wembley Stadium. Abide with me was sung by Rhydian Roberts.
The game was broadcast by BBC with John Kear and Dave Woods commentating, as well as additional commentary from Tanya Arnold, Clare Balding, Jonathan Davies, Robbie Hunter-Paul, Justin Morgan and Brian Noble. The English national anthem was then sung before referee Phil Bentham, overseeing his first Challenge Cup final, blew time on and Leeds's captain Kevin Sinfield kicked off.
* Saturday, 27 August 14:30
| Leeds Rhinos | 18 - 28 | Wigan Warriors |
| Tries Ryan Hall (2) Ben Jones-Bishop Carl Ablett Goals Kevin Sinfield | Report | Tries Jeff Lima (2) Josh Charnley Joel Tomkins Thomas Leuluai Goals Pat Richards (4) |
* Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 78,482 Referee: Phil Bentham Player of the Match: Jeff Lima
| Leeds Rhinos | Posit. | Wigan Warriors |
| 1 Brent Webb | FB | 1 Sam Tomkins |
| 23 Ben Jones-Bishop | WG | 25 Josh Charnley |
| 19 Kallum Watkins | CE | 12 Joel Tomkins |
| 12 Carl Ablett | CE | 4 George Carmont |
| 5 Ryan Hall | WG | 5 Pat Richards |
| 13 Kevin Sinfield (c) | SO | 6 Paul Deacon |
| 6 Danny McGuire | SH | 17 Brett Finch |
| 8 Kylie Leuluai | PR | 10 Andy Coley |
| 9 Danny Buderus | HK | 7 Thomas Leuluai |
| 10 Jamie Peacock | PR | 15 Jeff Lima |
| 11 Jamie Jones-Buchanan | SR | 11 Harrison Hansen |
| 3 Brett Delaney | SR | 16 Ryan Hoffman |
| 20 Weller Hauraki | LF | 13 Sean O'Loughlin (c) |
| 7 Rob Burrow | Int. | 9 Michael McIlorum |
| 16 Ryan Bailey | Int. | 14 Paul Prescott |
| 17 Ian Kirke | Int. | 21 Lee Mossop |
| 21 Chris Clarkson | Int. | 22 Liam Farrell |
| Brian McDermott | Coach | Michael Maguire |

## UK Broadcasting rights

Selected matches were televised solely by the BBC, for the last time. The following season the BBC and Sky Sports shared a selected round 4 and round 5 match and the BBC televising two quarter final matches and Sky Sports televising the other two quarter finals. The BBC still televised the semi-finals and the final.
| Round | Live match | Date | BBC channel |
| Round 4 | Leeds Rhinos 30 - 20 Crusaders Halifax 34 - 46 Bradford Bulls | May 7, 2011 May 8, 2011 | BBC One (First half)/BBC Two (Second half)$^1$ BBC Two |
| Round 5 | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 18 - 20 Castleford Tigers Bradford Bulls 22 - 26 Wigan Warriors | May 21, 2011 May 22, 2011 | BBC One$^2$ BBC Two |
| Quarter finals | Warrington Wolves 24 - 44 Wigan Warriors Hull F.C. 22 - 38 Leeds Rhinos | July 23, 2011 July 24, 2011 | BBC Two |
| Semi finals | Wigan Warriors 18 - 12 St. Helens Castleford Tigers 8 - 10 aet Leeds Rhinos | August 6, 2011 August 7, 2011 | BBC Two |
| Final | Leeds Rhinos 18 - 28 Wigan Warriors | Saturday August 27 | BBC One |
$^1$ Except Northern Ireland.
$^2$ Except Scotland which was televised live on BBC Two Scotland.