There’s a break in Betfred Championship and Betfred League One action this weekend, as Round One of the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup takes place.
16 teams remain in the competition that has seen five different winners of five different finals since it was first integrated in 2019.
The 1895 Cup provides a unique chance for clubs outside of the Betfred Super League to battle it out for an experience to play in a final at the legendary Wembley Stadium, but which two teams will be there come June, 2025?
Four League One sides have progressed to the First Round following victories in the earlier Preliminary Rounds and join the 12 English Championship sides.
First, Dewsbury Rams will make a trip to the capital to face London Broncos on Saturday, after their win against Workington Town in the previous round.
On Sunday, Goole Vikings will be looking to defeat Championship opposition for a second time this year when they welcome Barrow Raiders to the Victoria Pleasure Ground.
Scott Taylor’s Vikings have already captured the attention of many, as they incredibly beat the Broncos 17-10 in the Second Round of the Betfred Challenge Cup. Recently, they defeated North Wales Crusaders to book their place in the 1895 Cup First Round.
There’s a local rivalry renewed when Oldham meet Rochdale Hornets at Boundary Park – a place where the Roughyeds remain unbeaten in 2025.
This could be the only chance that these two sides get to play one another this season, with Oldham’s promotion to the Championship and Rochdale continuing to compete in League One.
Two-time finalists and 2021 winners Featherstone Rovers will relish their tie against Keighley Cougars this weekend, having won their last 18 meetings with their opponents, whilst 2021 finalists York Knights will be hoping for a better start in the 1895 Cup than they have had in the league – as they welcome 2023 winners Halifax Panthers to the LNER Community Stadium.
Meanwhile, inaugural winners and 2024 finalists Sheffield Eagles will host Doncaster in an enticing South Yorkshire derby.
Bradford Bulls will play Batley Bulldogs at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium – a fixture which saw two tight contests in the Championship last year. The Bulls ran out 16-14 victors at Bartercard Odsal last September, although Batley did triumph 21-20 on their home patch earlier on in the season.
With Brian Noble back at the helm, could this be the year Bradford reach a long-awaited final? Interestingly, despite winning two Challenge Cups in the early 2000s, including one with Noble in 2003, Bradford haven’t appeared at Wembley since 1949, so will be certainly fired up for this chance to.
Then, Hunslet host Widnes Vikings for the first time since 2011. As 2019 finalists, and the former Challenge ‘Cup Kings’ – is it Widnes’ turn to shine and do something special in the 2025 1895 Cup?
AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Round One fixtures:
- London Broncos v Dewsbury Rams (Saturday 1 March, K.O. 2pm)
- Batley Bulldogs v Bradford Bulls (Sunday 2 March, K.O. 2pm)
- Featherstone Rovers v Keighley Cougars (Sunday 2 March, K.O. 2pm)
- Sheffield Eagles v Doncaster (Sunday 2 March, K.O. 3pm)
- York Knights v Halifax Panthers (Sunday 2 March, K.O. 3pm)
- Goole Vikings v Barrow Raiders (Sunday 2 March, K.O. 3pm)
- Oldham v Rochdale Hornets (Sunday 2 March, K.O. 3pm)
- Hunslet v Widnes Vikings (Sunday 2 March, K.O. 3pm)
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!
