Bradford Bulls produced the result of the new-look Third Round of the Betfred Challenge Cup by stunning Castleford Tigers to secure their place in the last 16.
The 12 Betfred Super League clubs have joined the road to Wembley one round earlier in 2025, and the Bulls struck a blow for the Betfred Championship with a dramatic 18-16 win over Danny McGuire’s Tigers at Odsal.
Brian Noble, who was head coach during the Bulls' golden era at the start of the millennium and guided the Bradford club to the last of their five Challenge Cups in 2023, has returned to Odsal for the 2025 season and his team surged to a 17-0 half-time lead with tries from James Donaldson, Matty Gee and a long-range spectacular from Tom Holmes.
But Cas hit back with three tries of their own and ultimately it was two drop goals from Joe Keyes and Jordan Lilley that separated the teams – as Tex Hoy was unable to land an equalising conversion to his own classy try in stoppage time.
Sunday’s other fixtures went to form, although Midlands Hurricanes of Betfred League One competed superbly with Salford Red Devils to trail only 12-10 at half-time, to the delight of a club record crowd at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium.
The Red Devils eased to a 46-10 win with six unanswered second half tries, Chris Hankinson ending with 18 of their points from a try and seven goals.
Hunslet also had their moments at home to Huddersfield Giants, taking a 6-0 lead through a Greg Eden try, although two tries from Adam Swift helped the Giants to a 34-6 win.
Sunday’s other winners were all Betfred Championship teams as Batley Bulldogs beat their local rivals Dewsbury Rams 24-4; Widnes Vikings overcame a strong North Wales Crusaders challenge 26-20 in Colwyn Bay; Oldham thumped Barrow Raiders 42-4; and Featherstone Rovers beat the Wigan community club Ince Rose Bridge 68-0.
So next Saturday’s Fourth Round draw will include 11 Super League clubs and five from the Championship - and the Fourth Round draw will be held next Saturday at half-time in BBC2’s coverage of the Round One Betfred Super League fixture between St Helens and Salford Red Devils.
Reflecting on the impact of the new Betfred Challenge Cup format, Rhodri Jones, the Managing Director of RL Commercial, said:
“It’s been a great weekend. A number of Championship and League One clubs have set significant attendance milestones, from York Knights to Midlands Hurricanes, and the four community clubs who earned places in the Third Round and a shot against professional opposition all seem to have relished the experience.
"The Super League clubs deserve huge credit for that, for the way their players, supporters and staff have embraced the new format. The post-match images of Leigh Leopards and Workington Town players together on Friday night, or of Wests Warriors being invited into the Leeds Rhinos dressing room at AMT Headingley, sum up the mood of the weekend – of the various levels of the sport coming together.
“That can only be a boost as we look ahead to the start of the Betfred Super League and Championship campaigns in the coming week, and further ahead to the later rounds of the Betfred Challenge Cup, and Finals Day at Wembley in June.”
Betfred Challenge Cup Third Round, Sunday results:
- Batley Bulldogs 24 Dewsbury Rams 4
- Bradford Bulls 18 Castleford Tigers 16
- Featherstone Rovers 68 Ince Rose Bridge 0
- Hunslet 6 Huddersfield Giants 34
- Midlands Hurricanes 10 Salford Red Devils 46
- North Wales Crusaders 20 Widnes Vikings 26
- Oldham 42 Barrow Raiders 4
Saturday results
- Halifax Panthers 0 Catalans Dragons 14
- Wests Warriors 0 Leeds Rhinos 92 (at AMT Headingley)
- West Hull 0 St Helens 38 (at Sewell Group Craven Park)
- York Acorn 6 Hull FC 52
- Goole Vikings 0 Wakefield Trinity 82 (at DIY Kitchens Stadium, Wakefield)
- Whitehaven 4 Warrington Wolves 44
Friday results
- Sheffield Eagles 12 Wigan Warriors 48
- Workington Town 0 Leigh Leopards 60
- York Knights 2 Hull KR 44
Saturday 7 June is Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day 2025 – also including the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final, AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final, and RFL Champion Schools Year 7 Boys Final. Tickets are on sale now!
