...A round-up of the Preliminary Second Round results...
More AB Sundecks 1895 Cup action took place this weekend, with four excitingly close ties between the remaining eight Betfred League One clubs.
Only an Izaac Farrell drop goal separated Keighley and Midlands – following a bruising and low-scoring affair at Cougar Park on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Dewsbury claimed a 10-18 win away at Workington to book their place in the First Round, while Rochdale pipped Swinton by two points.
The scores had been level at 16-16 heading into the final quarter with three tries apiece, but a penalty for the Hornets would prove to be the difference. As they opted for goal, it was Max Flanagan came up with the spoils and his side edged an emphatic win.
It was also a great afternoon for Scott Taylor’s Goole Vikings, ahead of the League One campaign starting this weekend, as they dug deep to record their first home victory.
Jamie Shaul took the limelight with an emphatic hat-trick, while Josh Guzdek and Goole-born Tom Halliday also added themselves to the scoresheet.
The Crusaders had taken an initial 10-point lead with tries from Patrick Ah Van and Joshua Eaves, but the Vikings forged a confident comeback to set up a tense final ten minutes – locked in at 18-all.
Halliday then pounced over in the 72nd minute, with Shaul’s final try four minutes from time ensuring their place in the next round.
Dewsbury, Goole, Keighley and Rochdale all now progress to the First Round of the 1895 Cup competition, where they will join the 12 English Betfred Championship clubs. Details can be found here.
AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Preliminary Second Round results:
Goole Vikings 26 North Wales Crusaders 18
Workington Town 10 Dewsbury Rams 18
Rochdale Hornets 18 Swinton Lions 16
Keighley Cougars 7 Midlands Hurricanes 6
AB Sundecks 1895 Cup First Round 'proper' fixtures (ties to be played weekend of March 1/2):
Batley Bulldogs v Bradford Bulls
Sheffield Eagles v Doncaster
Hunslet v Widnes Vikings
London Broncos v Dewsbury Rams
York Knights v Halifax Panthers
Goole Vikings v Barrow Raiders
Featherstone Rovers v Keighley Cougars
Oldham v Rochdale Hornets
The AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final is part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 7 June, alongside the finals of the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup and Men's 2025 Betfred Challenge Cup Final. Plus, there will be the traditional Year 7 Boys’ Champion Schools Final. Tickets are on sale now!
