2009 Challenge Cup

Rugby league competition October 2017 October 2017 2009 Carnegie Challenge Cup 2009 Challenge Cup logo.jpg 250px 9 Rounds 76,560 United Kingdom BBC Sport featherstone 12 Featherstone Rovers 94–2 The Army batley 12 Batley Bulldogs 4–66 salford city 12 Salford City Reds 2009 Warrington 16 Warrington Wolves Winners huddersfield 16 Huddersfield warrington 16 Michael Monaghan Lance Todd Trophy 2008 Challenge Cup 2008 2010 Challenge Cup 2010 The 2009 Challenge Cup (also known as the Carnegie Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 108th staging of the most prestigious knock-out competition in rugby league. Teams from England, Scotland, Wales, France and Russia were included in the tournament. It began in January 2009. Teams from the Co-operative Championship received byes into round three along with four teams from France, and the winner of the Russian Championship. Teams from the Super League enter in round four. Defending champions St. Helens lost in the semi-final 14 – 24 to the Huddersfield Giants who went on to lose the final 16 – 25 to the Warrington Wolves. For 2009, the early stages of the competition was revamped. As the competition has expanded, there was now a preliminary round before the first round, and teams were placed into two 'pools' for the preliminary, first and second rounds. Pools Pool A features 48 teams, made up as follows: The 40 teams from the National Conference League The winners of the five major BARLA Regional Leagues The winners of the three major BARLA Regional Cup Competitions – Yorkshire, North West & Cumberland Pool B features 16 teams, which is a mixed bag of Rugby League Conference teams (including representatives from Scotland and Wales), armed forces representative teams and University teams. Preliminary round Pool A All matches were due to be played on 3–4 January, however, winter weather forced the postponement of most of these fixtures due to frozen pitches. The round is divided into two pools, with several teams receiving a bye to the First Round:http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7784171.stm Welsh duo meet in Challenge Cup BBC 16 February 2009 17 December 2008 Tie noHome teamScoreAway team1 † Eccles and Salford Juniors6–22 Saddleworth Rangers2 † Egremont Rangers14–8 Thornhill Trojans3 † Ovenden22–20 Oulton Raiders4 Skirlaugh56–4 Heworth5 † Wath Brow Hornets18–14 Millom6 Siddal30–12 Normanton Knights7 † Stanningley16–18 Hull Dockers8 † Halifax Irish10–22 Bradford Dudley Hill9 † Rochdale Mayfield12–36 Leigh East10 Halton Simms Cross46–12 York Acorn11 † Ellenborough4–20 Wigan St Patricks12 † Bank Quay Bulls6–19 Queens13 † Oldham St Annes16–30 Wigan St Judes14 † Widnes St Maries22–8 Ince Rose Bridge15 Shaw Cross Sharks16–21 Castleford Lock Lane16 Stanley Rangers12–40 Leigh Miners Rangers †: fixtures rearranged due to frozen pitches. New dates varied between teams, depending on clashes with league fixtures and weather. Pool B Fixtures played 17–18 January: Tie noHome teamScoreAway team1 Bristol Sonics8–52 Leeds Met Carnegie2 University of Wales Institute18–20 Valley Cougars3 Loughborough University26–16 Nottingham Outlaws4 West London Sharks10–22 The Army Pool A Byes: West Hull, Thatto Heath Crusaders, Myton Warriors, Orchard Park and Greenwood, Eastmoor Dragons, East Hull, Sharlston Rovers, Kells, Hull Isberg, East Leeds, Pilkington Recs, West Bowling, Milford Marlins, Crossfields, Waterhead, Castleford Panthers Pool B Byes: St Mary's University College, RAF, Warrington Wizards, Featherstone Lions, Hull University, Edinburgh Eagles, Northumbria University, Royal Navy Round 1 All matches played on 24–25 January. The round was divided into two pools, with the teams that received a bye in the last round entering. Pool A Tie noHome teamScoreAway team1Kells26–14Eastmoor Dragons2West Hull56–0East Leeds3West Bowling32–6East Hull4Milford Marlins14–24Pilkington Recs5 †Hull Dockers34–4Ovenden6 †Castleford Panthers12–26Leigh Miners Rangers7Waterhead14–16Castleford Lock Lane8 †Siddal36–12Thatto Heath9 †Crosfields10–36Sharlston Rovers10Wigan St Patricks24–18Skirlaugh11Egremont Rangers0–42Wath Brow Hornets12Leigh East68–0Orchard Park and Greenwood13Hull Isberg12–36Saddleworth Rangers14Queens13–0Halton Simms Cross15Wigan St Judes34–20Myton Warriors16Bradford Dudley Hill19–24Widnes St Maries †: fixtures rearranged for 31 January due to flooded pitches. Pool B Tie noHome teamScoreAway team1Featherstone Lions18–12Hull University2RAF16–18Edinburgh Eagles3Loughborough University40–12St Mary's University College4Leeds Met Carnegie36–6Warrington Wizards5The Navy38–28Valley Cougars6The Army72–0Northumbria University Round 2 Draw hosted by Wath Brow Hornets on 27 January, as the winners of the Cumbrian derby in the first round. Matches were played 14–15 February.http://www.therfl.co.uk/challengecup/news_item.php?id=12857 Eagles to face student team therfl.co.uk 16 February 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090207165755/http://therfl.co.uk/challengecup/news_item.php?id=12857 7 February 2009 dead Pool A Tie noHome teamScoreAway team1Wigan St Patricks20–16West Hull2Widnes St Maries8–15Queens3Wath Brow Hornets40–22Hull Dockers4Kells31–22Leigh Miners Rangers5Wigan St Judes24–28Pilkington Recs6Siddal34–10West Bowling7Sharlston Rovers20–10Leigh East8Saddleworth20–16Castleford Lock Lane Pool B Tie noHome teamScoreAway team1Loughborough University20–18The Navy2Leeds Met Carnegie20–6Edinburgh Eagles3Featherstone Lions12–30The Army Round 3 Draw was made live on BBC Radio Manchester on 17 February.http://www.therfl.co.uk/challengecup/news_item.php?id=13065 BBC Radio Manchester to host Third Round Draw therfl.co.uk 16 February 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090609142459/http://www.therfl.co.uk/challengecup/news_item.php?id=13065 9 June 2009 All twenty Co-operative Championship teams were added into the competition in this round, as well as four teams from the French Elite One Championship, and winners of the 2008 Russian Championship, RC Lokomotiv Moscow. The matches were played on 7–8 March.http://www.therfl.co.uk/challengecup/news_item.php?id=13096 Clubs learn their fate in the Challenge Cup therfl.co.uk 19 February 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090226235602/http://www.therfl.co.uk/challengecup/news_item.php?id=13096 26 February 2009 dead Tie noHome teamScoreAway team 1 Siddal 6–10 Swinton Lions 2 York City Knights 50–10 Wigan St Patricks 3 Featherstone Rovers 94–2 The Army 41 Queens A–A Doncaster 5 Pilkington Recs 24–34 Batley Bulldogs 6 Barrow Raiders 44–12 Blackpool Panthers 7 Gateshead Thunder 42–38 Whitehaven 8 Workington Town 6–18 Lézignan Sangliers 9 Leigh Centurions 82–6 RC Lokomotiv Moscow 10 Oldham R.L.F.C. 26–8 Sharlston 11 Sheffield Eagles 22–6 Toulouse Olympique 12 Leeds Met Carnegie 24–38 Rochdale Hornets 13 Widnes Vikings 88–0 Saddleworth 14 Wath Brow Hornets 14–12 London Skolars 15 Keighley Cougars 30–24 Pia Donkeys 162 Kells 12–22 Hunslet Hawks 17 Halifax 80–16 Loughborough University 18 Dewsbury Rams 18–6 AS Carcassonne 1: Match was abandoned on 61st minute due to crowd trouble. Doncaster went through due to them being ahead at the time. The RFL upheld the decision after an investigation. It was the first time a rugby league game has been abandoned in England due to crowd trouble in over 70 years.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7937983.stm RFL puts Doncaster in round four BBC 11 March 2009 11 March 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090316023644/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7937983.stm 16 March 2009 live 2: Match postponed due to waterlogged pitch. Round 4 thumb|Shaun Ainscough try for Wigan Warriors during their match against Barrow Raiders The draw for round 4 was made live on 9 March on BBC Radio 5 Live. The sixteen victorious Co-operative Championship teams from round 3 were joined by all fourteen Super League XIV teams, as well as Wath Brow Hornets, the competition's only amateur club remaining at this stage, and Lezignan, making this the Round of 32. From this point, no more teams were added to the competition. All ties were played 3–5 April.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7932314.stm Leeds get Saints in Challenge Cup BBC 9 March 2009 11 March 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090312013420/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7932314.stm 12 March 2009 live HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefereeAttendance Swinton 23 Swinton Lions22–28 Rochdale 23 Rochdale Hornets3 April, 19:30 BSTPark LanePeter Brooke525 Halifax 23 Halifax20–16 Widnes 23 Widnes Vikings3 April, 20:00 BSTShay StadiumRichard Silverwood3,204 Hull KR 23 Hull Kingston Rovers32–6 Celtic 23 Crusaders3 April, 20:00 BSTNew Craven ParkThierry Alibert7,104 Sheffield 23 Sheffield Eagles28–18 Dewsbury 23 Dewsbury Rams3 April, 20:00 BSTDon Valley StadiumRobert Hicks597 Wakefield 23 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats54–0 Leigh 23 Leigh Centurions3 April, 20:00 BSTBelle VueGareth Hewer2,637 Warrington 23 Warrington Wolves56–10 York City 23 York City Knights4 April, 14:00 BSTHalliwell Jones StadiumJames Child6,000 Harlequins 23 Harlequins16–42 Huddersfield 23 Huddersfield Giants4 April, 15:00 BSTThe Twickenham StoopBen Thaler2,500 Batley 23 Batley Bulldogs28–24 Hunslet 23 Hunslet Hawks5 April, 14:00 BSTMount PleasantDave Merrick633 Featherstone 23 Featherstone Rovers54–16 Wath Brow Hornets5 April, 14:00 BSTChris Moyles StadiumGreg Dolan1,180 Oldham 23 Oldham R.L.F.C.60–30 lezignan 23 Lézignan Sangliers5 April, 14:00 BSTBoundary ParkRonnie Laughton863 Catalans 23 Catalans Dragons40–38 Bradford 23 Bradford Bulls5 April, 14:30 BSTStade Gilbert BrutusSteve Ganson6,450 Barrow 23 Barrow Raiders20–32 Wigan 23 Wigan Warriors5 April, 15:00 BSTCraven ParkJamie Leahy6,275 Doncaster 23 Doncaster18–32 Gateshead 23 Gateshead Thunder5 April, 15:00 BSTKeepmoat StadiumCraig Halloran458 Keighley 23 Keighley Cougars20–64 Castleford 23 Castleford Tigers5 April, 15:00 BSTCougar ParkMatthew Thomason3,255 Hull FC 23 Hull F.C.18–22 Salford City 23 Salford City Reds5 April, 15:15 BSTKC StadiumIan Smith8,945 Leeds 23 Leeds Rhinos18–22 St Helens 23 St. Helens5 April, 16:30 BSTHeadingley StadiumPhil Bentham17,689 Average attendance: 4,270 Round 5 The sixteen teams remaining after Round 4 were randomly paired against each other, in a draw held at RAF Leeming on 7 April involving AVM Chris Davison, Director of the RAF Sports Board, and Barrie McDermott, former Leeds and Great Britain and Ireland player.http://www.therfl.co.uk/~therflc/challengecup/news_item.php?id=13607 Fifth round draw to take place at RAF base therfl.co.uk 3 April 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090609143051/http://www.therfl.co.uk/~therflc/challengecup/news_item.php?id=13607 9 June 2009 dead dmy-all All matches were played on 9–10 May.http://www.wiganwarriors.com/news_full.asp?newsid=4671 Warriors Away at Wakefield in Challenge Cup wiganwarriors.com 7 April 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090413042730/http://www.wiganwarriors.com/news_full.asp?newsid=4671 13 April 2009 dead The match between Gateshead Thunder and Oldham R.L.F.C. was due to be played at the Gateshead International Stadium, since Gateshead were the home team, however the match was rearranged to be played at the Darlington Arena due to a fixture clash between a playoff match for Gateshead F.C., who share the stadium with the rugby league side, and an athletics meeting. This was the first ever professional rugby league match to be held inside County Durham.http://www.therfl.co.uk/challengecup/news_item.php?id=13712 Thunder Go To Darlo therfl.co.uk (Rugby Football League) 20 April 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090609142142/http://www.therfl.co.uk/challengecup/news_item.php?id=13712 9 June 2009 dead dmy-all The first match of this round was a repeat of a Super League fixture only thirteen days earlier. Wakefield Trinity took the initial lead, scoring ten points in six minutes, before Wigan levelled the game by the 24th minute. An early drop goal by Danny Brough edged Wakefield ahead by one point before Wigan scored their third try to lead 11–16 going into half time, following a successful conversion by Pat Richards. Wakefield scored their only try of the second half after 51 minutes, before Wigan scored two more tries to win the game by a margin of eleven points.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8037780.stm Wakefield 17–28 Wigan news.bbc.co.uk (BBC Sport) 9 May 2009 9 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090511233449/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8037780.stm 11 May 2009 live Oldham also started off taking the initial lead before losing to the Gateshead Thunder. Tommy Goulden gave the visitors a lead of six points following a successful conversion, and this gave them a 4–6 lead at half time following a Gateshead try which was unsuccessfully converted. Four tries and three goals from Gateshead after the break handed them a twenty-two-point lead, and two tries and a goal from Oldham were not enough to restore the deficit. A final Gateshead try ended the game with a firm 18-point margin in favour of Gateshead.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8037812.stm Gateshead 34–16 Oldham BBC 9 May 2009 9 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090515185557/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8037812.stm 15 May 2009 live The first game ever to be concluded via the golden point rule was played at The Jungle. Halifax earned a ten-point lead through a try and two goals, one of which a penalty. Castleford replied with a converted try, before Halifax kicked another penalty goal to lead 6–12. The home side again scored a try, which was converted, before Halifax kicked another penalty goal before half time. Halifax scored first with a try after the break, before Castleford scored another of their own. Another try for Halifax was countered with three Castleford tries, one of which was successfully converted to give them a 30–22 lead. Two converted Halifax tries put them into the lead by four points with ten minutes to play, but a try from Brent Sherwin on the 74th minute levelled the game at full-time. Sherwin also scored the drop goal three minutes into extra time to send Castleford through after an historic fixture.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8037824.stm Castleford 35–34 Halifax news.bbc.co.uk (BBC Sport) 9 May 2009 9 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090513013449/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8037824.stm 13 May 2009 live Huddersfield won their early morning kick-off against Rochdale Hornets despite two late tries from the away side. Luke Robinson opened up the scoring on six minutes to score the first of five first-half tries for Huddersfield, to which Rochdale had no reply. Huddersfield scored again after 44 minutes to put themselves 32 points to nil ahead, before two converted Rochdale tries lowered the deficit to twenty points. Shaun Lunt finished the game off five minutes from full-time with a try that was successfully converted to provide himself with a hat-trick, and to give Huddersfield a comfortable win.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8037704.stm Huddersfield 38–12 Rochdale news.bbc.co.uk (BBC Sport) 10 May 2009 10 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090514043544/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8037704.stm 14 May 2009 live Like Oldham and Wakefield had done the day before, Featherstone Rovers took the initiative before losing to the opposition. Featherstone took a four-point lead thanks to a try which was unsuccessfully converted before Warrington scored twenty unanswered first-half points with four tries and two conversions. Chris Hicks converted his own try shortly after the break to put Warrington 4–26 into the lead before Featherstone replied with what was to be their final try. Warrington proceeded to run in five tries before full-time, all of which were converted by Hicks, to win the game by almost a half-century of points.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8037846.stm Featherstone 8–56 Warrington news.bbc.co.uk (BBC Sport) 10 May 2009 10 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090514043549/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8037846.stm 14 May 2009 live Salford City Reds had lost three of their previous matches prior to this round's fixture, but this did not stop eight Salford City Reds players touching down for tries as they delivered the widest winning margin of the round away to Batley. Eight tries and eight goals, seven of which made up John Wilshere's ten goal match tally, scored by Salford City Reds went unanswered as Batley went into half-time fighting a 48-point deficit. Two further converted tries from Salford City Reds, including Mark Henry's fourth try, came before Batley's only try of the afternoon, which was not converted. Luke Adamson touched down two minutes from full-time to give a winning margin of 62 in favour of Salford City Reds.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8037839.stm Batley 4–66 Salford news.bbc.co.uk (BBC Sport) 10 May 2009 10 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090515105946/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8037839.stm 15 May 2009 live Of the four Co-operative Championship sides facing Super League opposition on the Sunday, Sheffield Eagles came closest to winning, with Hull Kingston Rovers having to regalvanise themselves to prevent a Sheffield come-from-behind victory. The Sheffield Eagles only scored one converted try in the first forty minutes compared to the Hull Kingston Rovers' four tries and three goals which had given them a sixteen-point advantage going into half time, but Sheffield struck back quickly after the break with a converted try in the 41st minute. Sheffield scored again fifteen minutes later with a converted try to put them only four points behind, before Shaun Briscoe went over the try-line and Michael Dobson converted to restore a ten-point advantage. Sheffield scored another try to lower the gap to four points again, but a late Rovers try in the 77th minute ended the game to advance them through to the quarterfinals instead of Sheffield.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8037859.stm Hull KR 34–24 Sheffield news.bbc.co.uk (BBC Sport) 10 May 2009 10 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090514041310/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8037859.stm 14 May 2009 live In a repeat of the 2007 Challenge Cup Final, St. Helens overcame French opposition in the outfit of the Catalans Dragons to reach the quarterfinals and maintain their four-year unbeaten cup run. Two tries within ten minutes gave an eight-point advantage to the home side before Thomas Bosc kicked a penalty to reduce the lead to 8–2. Catalans scored a converted try in the 21st minute to level game, before two tries and a goal for St Helens meant an 18–8 half time scoreline. Catalans failed to score at all in the second half, whilst to the contrary, St Helens ran in four tries, two of which were scored by Paul Wellens. All of the second half tries were converted by Sean Long to give the home side a winning margin of 34 points.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8037862.stm St Helens 42–8 Catalans Dragons news.bbc.co.uk (BBC Sport) 10 May 2009 10 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090514043554/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8037862.stm 14 May 2009 live HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefereeAttendance Wakefield 23 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats17–28 Wigan 23 Wigan Warriors9 May, 14:30 BSTBelle VuePhil Bentham4,883 Gateshead 23 Gateshead Thunder34–16 Oldham 23 Oldham R.L.F.C.9 May, 15:00 BSTThe Darlington ArenaJames Child929 Castleford 23 Castleford Tigers35–34 Halifax 23 Halifax9 May, 18:00 BSTThe JungleSteve Ganson5,595Castleford win in extra time via the golden point rule. Huddersfield 23 Huddersfield Giants38–12 Rochdale 23 Rochdale Hornets10 May, 11:30 BSTGalpharm StadiumGareth Hewer2,859 Featherstone 23 Featherstone Rovers8–56 Warrington 23 Warrington Wolves10 May, 13:30 BSTChris Moyles StadiumIan Smith3,127 Batley 23 Batley Bulldogs4–66 Salford City 23 Salford City Reds10 May, 15:00 BSTMount PleasantJamie Leahy1,298 Hull KR 23 Hull Kingston Rovers34–24 Sheffield 23 Sheffield Eagles10 May, 15:00 BSTNew Craven ParkThierry Alibert4,955 St Helens 23 St. Helens42–8 Catalans 23 Catalans Dragons10 May, 15:15 BSTGPW Recruitment StadiumBen Thaler7,176 Average attendance: 3,853 Quarter finals The sixth round of the Challenge Cup involves the eight teams who won their respective matches in the previous round. This is the final round where home field advantage is given, due to the requirement that all semi-final matches must be played at a neutral venue. The draw was made live on BBC Two at the GPW Recruitment Stadium on 10 May. Chris Joynt, four times winner of the Challenge Cup with St. Helens drew the home sides, while Andy Farrell OBE, four times winner with the Wigan Warriors, drew the away sides. The matches were played on 29–31 May,http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8042939.stm Saints sent to Gateshead in Cup news.bbc.co.uk (BBC Sport) 10 May 2009 10 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090511012359/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8042939.stm 11 May 2009 livehttp://www.therfl.co.uk/home/news_item_top.php?id=14005 Gateshead and Saints Clash www.therfl.co.uk (Rugby Football League) 11 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090609144048/http://www.therfl.co.uk/home/news_item_top.php?id=14005 9 June 2009 dead dmy-all during the hottest weekend of the year so far temperature-wise.https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/may/29/weather-uk-hottest-day-year Hottest day of the year and widespread burgers forecast guardian.co.uk (The Guardian) 30 May 2009 London 29 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090612022443/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/29/weather-uk-hottest-day-year 12 June 2009 live A sunny Friday evening at the JJB Stadium provided host to the round's first match, between the Wigan Warriors and Salford City Reds. Salford City Redswere victorious in their last three games going into this match, with Wigan hoping to get back to winning ways after a defeat to Warrington at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Both players were also missing a player, Wigan's Stuart Fielden for disciplinary reasons,http://superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=14202 One-match ban for Fielden superleague.co.uk (The RFL) 30 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090529152323/http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=14202 29 May 2009 live and Darrell Goulding for Salford City Reds, on loan from Wigan, who was cup-tied for playing against Barrow Raiders earlier on in the competition. A line break from Gareth Hock gave the home side a six-point lead after two minutes, following a successful conversion from Pat Richards. Salford City Reds replied nine minutes later with a line break of their own, eventually resulting in a try for Luke Adamson, converted by John Wilshere. It was to be the only Salford City Reds score of the match, but Wigan failed to take full control after forty minutes in only scoring one further try from Pat Richards on the wing to make the score 10–6 on the half-time hooter. However, Wigan scored eighteen unanswered points in the second half, with Pat Richards kicking a goal on the 49th minute, and scoring two more tries on the 59th and 70th minute to complete his hat-trick, the latter of which was converted. Hock scored another try of his own after 76 minutes, with Richards kicking the conversion to bring his individual total for the match to twenty, booking Wigan's place in the semi-finals for the first time since 2007.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8071490.stm Wigan 28–6 Salford news.bbc.co.uk (BBC Sport) 30 May 2009 29 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090530012619/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8071490.stm 30 May 2009 live A Lee Briers drop goal in extra-time was all that separated Hull Kingston Rovers and Warrington Wolves at "New" Craven Park on the Saturday in a closely fought game. Both sides were in winning form, with Warrington Wolves having assembled three wins in a row, and Hull Hull Kingston Rovers having won their previous six matches. The two sides had recent history in the competition, when in 2006, Warrington Wolves were knocked-out by Hull Kingston Rovers, who were then in National League One. The home side were first on the scoresheet after centre Kris Welham crossed the line in the 3rd minute. The conversion attempt was successful from Michael Dobson, before Vinnie Anderson replied for Warrington Wolves on the 17th minute to put the scores level following a Briers conversion. In spite of attacking play from both sides, the game ended at half time 6–6. Warrington Wolves seized the initiative four minutes after the break thanks to a converted Jon Clarke try, however, Hull Kingston Rovers levelled the game again five minutes later when Clint Newton crossed over the tryline. The home side pressed a ten-point advantage with two 53rd and 60th minute tries from Ben Galea and Jake Webster respectively, the latter of which was the only unsuccessful conversion of the match. Warrington Wolves matched Hull Kingston Rovers with two tries of their own in five minutes from Matt King and Chris Bridge, to put them two points ahead with ten minutes left to play. A penalty conceded to the side of Warrington Wolves 's left upright was kicked by Hull Kingston Rovers's Dobson three minutes from full-time to force the game into a golden point situation, the score being 24–24 at the final hooter. Hull Kingston Rovers did not gain enough territory to allow Dobson a chance at a drop goal, whilst conversely Briers missed three attempts, once to the right side facing him and twice to the left side of the uprights, before landing his fourth attempt five minutes into extra time.https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8071507.stm Hull KR 24–25 Warrington newsimg.bbc.co.uk (BBC Sport) 30 May 2009 In contrast, the match at the Gateshead International Stadium could barely have been more one-sided, with St. Helens running out eventual winners against the Gateshead Thunder. St Helens scored twice in the first five minutes, with tries from Matthew Gidley and James Roby, both conversions missed. A brief lull in the game was ended with another St Helens try after 21 minutes from fullback Paul Wellens, and this was converted by Sean Long. Chris Flannery scored in the 25th minute, before a barrage of three St Helens tries in five minutes from Maurie Fa'asavalu, Kyle Eastmond and Leon Pryce respectively put the visitors 0–36 ahead following three conversions from Eastmond. Gateshead scored their solitary try before half-time when Ben McAlpine scored, and Nick Youngquest converted. The second half saw thirty unanswered points from St Helens with five tries in the 51st, 54th, 57th, 64th and 72nd minutes, all of which were successively converted by Eastmond to continue St Helens' four-year unbeaten cup run, finish the score at 6–66, and end any chance of a Co-operative Championship team reaching Wembley this year.https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8071501.stm Gateshead 6–66 St Helens newsimg.bbc.co.uk (BBC Sport) 30 May 2009 The local derby between Huddersfield and Castleford was the solitary game on the Sunday, due to BBC coverage. Huddersfield were fresh from a 48-point winning margin over Wakefield Trinity from the Super League round the week before, whilst Castleford had not won a match during regular time in four games. Despite the form book, it was Castleford who gained the early advantage thanks to an aerial take from Michael Shenton following Rangi Chase's kick, before crashing over the tryline on the way back down to give Castleford a 0–4 lead after three minutes. Several passages later, Kevin Brown dummied his way for a try in front of the uprights which was successfully converted by Brett Hodgson. Huddersfield had a disallowed try before Castleford kicked a penalty two minutes before half-time to make a 6–6 scoreline at the break. Huddersfield again had a try disallowed for a forward pass, before Brett Ferres scored his only try, and two Kirk Dixon goals gave the visitors a 6–14 lead after fifty minutes. Huddersfield did not concede again, and following a twenty-minute lull, scored a try thanks to Stephen Wild, which was successfully converted. Determined Castleford defending kept Huddersfield out for nine further minutes, before Danny Kirmond scored the match winning try in the 77th minute to send Huddersfield through to the semi-final stage.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8071517.stm Huddersfield 16–14 Castleford news.bbc.co.uk (BBC Sport) 31 May 2009 31 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090601160839/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8071517.stm 1 June 2009 live HomeScoreAwayMatch informationDate and timeVenueRefereeAttendance Wigan 23 Wigan Warriors28–6 Salford City 23 Salford City Reds29 May, 20:00 BSTJJB StadiumThierry Alibert9,466 Hull KR 23 Hull Kingston Rovers24–25 Warrington 23 Warrington Wolves30 May, 17:30 BSTNew Craven ParkPhil Bentham7,671Warrington win by golden point in extra time after the game was tied 24–24 after 80 minutes. Gateshead 23 Gateshead Thunder6–66 St Helens 23 St. Helens30 May, 18:00 BSTThe 'Thunderdome'Ian Smith4,325 Huddersfield 23 Huddersfield Giants16–14 Castleford 23 Castleford Tigers31 May, 15:30 BSTGalpharm StadiumRichard Silverwood6,359 Average attendance: 6,955 Semi finals The four teams remaining play against each other for straight access into the Final. All matches in this round are played on a neutral venue. The draw was made live on BBC Two following coverage of the quarterfinal match between Huddersfield Giants and Castleford Tigers on 31 May. Only nine days after losing their Super League XIV tie at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Wigan Warriors were drawn against the Warrington Wolves, whilst a repeat of the 2006 Challenge Cup Final was made with St. Helens versus Huddersfield Giants.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8076184.stm Giants face Saints in semi-final news.bbc.co.uk (BBC Sport) 31 May 2009 1 June 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090606082034/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8076184.stm 6 June 2009 live One match is played on Saturday 8 August, the other is played the day after.http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=14262 Saints land Giants clash in last four www.superleague.co.uk (Rugby Football League) 31 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090602164322/http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=14262 2 June 2009 live The dates and venues were confirmed on 2 June, with Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves being played in Widnes at the Stobart Stadium Halton on the Saturday, and St Helens vs Huddersfield being played on the Sunday at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington.http://www.therfl.co.uk/challengecup/news_item.php?id=14279 Semi-final Venues Confirmed www.therfl.co.uk (The Rugby Football League) 2 June 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090609142111/http://www.therfl.co.uk/challengecup/news_item.php?id=14279 9 June 2009 dead dmy-all Wigan vs Warrington C1D8FF 8 August 2009 14:30 BST Wigan 12 Wigan Warriors 26–39 (Report) Warrington 12 Warrington Wolves Tries: Bailey 8S. Tomkins 53Coley 60Leuluai 68Goals: Richards 8', 12', 53', 60', 68' Tries: King 18 38 48L. Anderson 20Briers 22Cooper 29Chris Hicks 74Goals: Bridge 18', 20', 22', 29', 74'Drop goals: Briers 70' Stobart Stadium Halton Widnes, England 12,975 Steve Ganson Lee Briers A Matt King hat-trick ended Wigan's dreams of going to Wembley in 2009, putting Warrington into their first Challenge Cup final since 1990, despite the return of Wigan's captain Sean O'Loughlin following a knee injury. The video referee declined a Warrington try from Ben Westwood on grounds of obstruction, and Wigan also had a disallowed try from winger Pat Richards, but it was Wigan who took the initiative thanks to a side-step from Phil Bailey after seven minutes; the try was successfully converted by Richards. Two further points were added to Wigan's tally following a penalty, to give an 8–0 lead. Warrington rallied to score twenty-four unanswered points by the half-time break, with two tries from King as well as tries from Louis Anderson, Lee Briers and Michael Cooper, before King completed his hat-trick in the 48th minute to give the Wolves a 24-point lead. Sam Tomkins, in his first season of first-team rugby, started a Wigan fightback as he caught an offload from the right wing by George Carmont before grounding the ball beneath the sticks. Chris Riley was stretchered off for concussion and whiplash after colliding with Joel Tomkins' knee, and Wigan took advantage of this with two further tries from Andy Coley and Thomas Leuluai which were both converted to reduce Wigan's arrears to six points. Briers kicked a drop goal the set afterwards to give Warrington safety, before the game was sealed with a Chris Hicks try to give the full-time score of 26–39.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8184228.stm Wigan 26–39 Warrington BBC News 8 August 2009 Hudson Elizabeth 8 August 2009 St Helens vs Huddersfield C1D8FF 9 August 2009 16:00 BST St Helens 12 St Helens 14–24 (Report) Huddersfield 12 Huddersfield Giants Tries: Meli 10 51 78Goals: Eastmond 51' Tries: B. Hodgson 5Wild 32 77Cudjoe 41Brown 47Goals: B. Hodgson 32', 77' Halliwell Jones Stadium Warrington, England 10,638 Richard Silverwood Brett Hodgson A Francis Meli hat-trick was not enough to extend St Helens' four-year unbeaten run in the Challenge Cup with a victory in Warrington. Man of the match Brett Hodgson opened up the points tally with a try in the fifth minute, although he failed to convert it. Meli scored on the wing five minutes later to level the game following another missed conversion from Kyle Eastmond. Stephen Wild scored the only other try of the first-half following a line break from Kevin Brown, which was converted to give Huddersfield a 4–10 lead. Huddersfield extended the advantage further, scoring two tries from Leroy Cudjoe and Brown in the first ten minutes of the second half, although Brett Hodgson again missed both. Meli cross the line again on the wing to bring the score to 10–18. A strong defensive performance from Huddersfield prevented another St Helens score, and Wild's second try three minutes from full-time gave the Giants a 14-point advantage. St Helens' solitary try-scorer Meli scored on the wing straight from the kick-off to complete his hat-trick, but there was not enough time for a comeback.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8184230.stm St Helens 14–24 Huddersfield BBC News 10 August 2009 Harlow Phil 9 August 2009 Final 2009 Challenge Cup Final The Carnegie 2009 Challenge Cup Final was played on 29 August, eight rounds and almost eight months after the tournament started in its preliminary stages. Following tradition, the match was held in London at Wembley Stadium. The game finished with Warrington Wolves defeating the Huddersfield Giants 16–25 following two controversial disallowed tries for the Giants, which if awarded would have won them the game if at least one conversion attempt was good. 29 August Huddersfield Giants 16–25 Warrington Wolves Wembley Stadium 76,560 Steve Ganson Television coverage Selected matches were televised solely by the BBC in the United Kingdom. Round Live match Date BBC channel Round 4 Catalans Dragons 40 – 38 Bradford BullsLeeds Rhinos 18 – 22 St. Helens 5 April BBC Two1 Round 5 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 17 – 28 Wigan WarriorsSt. Helens 42 – 8 Catalans Dragons 9 May10 May BBC OneBBC Two1 Quarter-finals Hull Kingston Rovers 24 – 25 Warrington WolvesHuddersfield Giants 16 – 14 Castleford Tigers2 30 May31 May BBC Two1 Semi-finals Wigan Warriors 26 – 39 Warrington WolvesSt. Helens 14 – 24 Huddersfield Giants 8 August 20099 August 2009 BBC OneBBC Two1 Final Huddersfield Giants 16 – 25 Warrington Wolves 29 August BBC One 1 Except Yorkshire. 2 Coverage in Northern Ireland (including analogue) was televised an hour later. The competition was also televised by Nine Network in Australia. References 2 External links Challenge Cup at the Rugby Football League's website Official Challenge Cup website Challenge Cup Category:Challenge Cup Category:2009 in British sport Category:2009 in French rugby league Category:2009 in Welsh rugby league Category:2009 in Scottish sport Category:2009 in Russian sport Category:January 2009 sports events in Europe