2022 Challenge Cup Explained

2022 Challenge Cup
Duration:9 rounds[1]
No Of Teams:63
Highest Attendance:51,628
(Final – 28 May 2022)
Lowest Attendance:130
London Skolars vs Hunslet Club Parkside (12 February 2022)
Attendance:141,953
Avg Attendance:2,289
Matches:62
Points:2,523
Tv:
Biggest Home Win:Batley Bulldogs 66–6 Royal Navy
(27 February 2022)
Biggest Away Win:West Wales Raiders 0–96 Swinton Lions
(30 January 2022)
Season:2022
Season Champs:Wigan Warriors (20th title)
Season Champ Name:Winners
Second Place:Huddersfield Giants
Mvp:Chris McQueen (Huddersfield Giants)
Mvp Link:Lance Todd Trophy
Top Scorer:Dan Abram (24)
Top Try Scorer:Jordan Gibson (5)
Prevseason Link:2021 Challenge Cup
Prevseason Year:2021
Nextseason Link:2023 Challenge Cup
Nextseason Year:2023

The 2022 Challenge Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2022 Betfred Challenge Cup, was the 121st edition of the Challenge Cup, the main rugby league knockout cup tournament in British rugby league run by the Rugby Football League (RFL). It started on 15 January 2022 and ended, with the final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 28 May.[2]

St Helens were the defending champions going into 2022, but they were eliminated in the semi-final by Wigan Warriors, who went on to win the Final, by narrowly defeating Huddersfield Giants 16-14.

Background

The competition started on 14 January and concluded with the final on 28 May. Traditionally the Challenge Cup final is held at Wembley Stadium in London. Due to scheduling conflicts between Wembley and the RFL due to a BBC request to play the final earlier in the year in May, it was announced that the 2022 Challenge Cup Final would be held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.[3] The RFL stated that the final would return to Wembley in 2023.[4] The RFL 1895 Cup would also be played for alongside the Challenge Cup.[5]

All professional RFL member clubs were invited to participate as well as a number of invited amateur teams including teams representing the British Armed forces and police forces. This year it was announced that the Super League's Toulouse Olympique, who are not members of the RFL but are invited to take part in the Challenge Cup, had declined their invitation and would not participate. Newly formed Cornwall R.L.F.C. who played in RFL League 1 also decided not to enter the competition.[6]

St Helens were the defending champions going into 2022, however, they were eliminated in the semi final, narrowly losing to Wigan Warriors 18–20.

A new television deal with the BBC came into effect this year, with coverage of more matches of later rounds as well as providing digital coverage of earlier rounds.[7] The Sportsman continued its involvement in streaming games that started in 2021 and the RFL streamed some matches on its own streaming service, Our League.[8] Premier Sports also broadcast a number of cup game as part of the broadcast deal signed with the RFL in October 2021.[9]

Format and dates

Challenge Cup competition format
RoundDate Clubs involved this roundWinners from previous roundNew entries this roundLeagues entering at this round
Round 1 14–16 January 28 28 28 UK based community league teams
Round 229–30 January 24 14 10 10 teams from League One
Round 312–13 February 12 12 colspan=2
Round 426–28 February20 6 14 All teams from the Championship
Round 512–14 March 10 10 colspan=3
Round 625–27 March16 5 11 11 teams from the Super League
Quarter-finals8–10 April 8 8 rowspan=3 rowspan=3
Semi-finals7 May 4 4
Final28 May 2 2

First round

The draw for the first round was made at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and ties were played over the weekend of 14–16 January 2022.[10]

Challenge Cup round 1 fixtures
HomeScoreAwayMatch Information
width=17%Date and Timewidth=22%Venuewidth=10%Refereewidth=7%Attendance
Upholland Bears0–60Royal Navy14 January 2022, 19:00Brynglas Field, PyleK. Youngrowspan=14
Orrell St James10–18British Army15 January 2022, 12:30Bankes Avenue, OrrellM. Lynn
22–16Ellenborough Rangers15 January 2022, 13:00Dukes Meadows, ChiswickW. Gilder
West Hull46–6Upton15 January 2022, 13:30North Road, HullJ. Covell-Wood
Edinburgh Eagles24–38York Acorn15 January 2022, 13:30Royal High School, EdinburghL. Fenton
Thornhill Trojans24–6Royal Air Force15 January 2022, 13:30Overthorpe Park, ThornhillS. Ellis
Featherstone Lions6–56Hunslet Club Parkside15 January 2022, 14:00Millpond Stadium, FeatherstoneR. Stansfield
10–52Wests Warriors15 January 2022, 14:00Kingston Park, NewcastleT. Gibbs
18–10Thatto Heath Crusaders15 January 2022, 14:00Lock Lane Sports Centre, CastlefordF. Lincoln
28–0Great Britain Police15 January 2022, 14:00Exley Lane, HalifaxR. Johnson
36–22Wigan St Pats15 January 2022, 14:15Mayfield Sports Centre, RochdaleA. Billington
Leigh Miners Rangers22–20Milford15 January 2022, 14:30Twist Lane, LeighR. Cox
Galway Tribesmen 10–36Pilkington Recs15 January 2022, 14:30Ruskin Drive, St HelensD. Arnold
Bentley 16–22Stanningley16 January 2022, 14:00Brunel Rd, CusworthC. Beevers
Source:[11]

Second round

The draw for the second round was made at the same time at the first. Ties were played over the weekend of 29–30 January 2022. This round sees sides from the League 1 enter.[10]

Challenge Cup round 2 fixtures
HomeScoreAwayMatch Information
width=17%Date and Timewidth=22%Venuewidth=10%Refereewidth=7%Attendance
York Acorn28–10Wests Warriors29 January 2022, 13:30Thanet RoadA. Johnson250
British Army10–14Royal Navy29 January 2022, 14:00Aldershot Military StadiumM. Lynn500
Hunslet Club Parkside22–12Stanningley29 January 2022, 14:00Hillidge RoadM. Clayton550
West Hull16–18Rochdale Mayfield29 January 2022, 14:00West Hull Community ParkA. Sweet400
Leigh Miners Rangers8–40 North Wales Crusaders29 January 2022, 14:30Twist LaneK. Moore
10–32Siddal29 January 2022, 14:30Ruskin DriveM. Mannifield300
London Skolars40–22London Chargers29 January 2022, 15:30New River StadiumM. Rossleigh280
Rochdale Hornets36–16 Midlands Hurricanes30 January 2022, 13:00Spotland StadiumL. Rush688
24–6Thornhill30 January 2022, 15:00Keepmoat StadiumL. Bland618
Hunslet22–6 Keighley Cougars30 January 2022, 15:00South Leeds StadiumC. Worsley637
West Wales Raiders0–96 Swinton Lions30 January 2022, 15:00Stebonheath ParkJ. Jones312
Oldham12–22Lock Lane30 January 2022, 18:00Whitebank StadiumB. Milligan361
Source:[12]

Third round

The draw for the third round was made on 1 February.[13] Ties were played over the weekend of 12–13 February 2022.

Challenge Cup round 3 fixtures
HomeScoreAwayMatch Information
width=17%Date and Timewidth=22%Venuewidth=10%Refereewidth=7%Attendance
Rochdale Mayfield0–2012 February 2022, 14:00Mayfield Sports Centre, RochdaleB. Milligan420
12–28 Rochdale Hornets12 February 2022, 14:30Lock Lane Sports Centre, Castleford M. Mannifield500
London Skolars6–28Hunslet Club Parkside12 February 2022, 15:30New River StadiumJ. Jones130
Royal Navy22–8York Acorn12 February 2022, 16:00United Services Recreation GroundM. Rossleigh300
Hunslet30–4Siddal13 February 2022, 13:00South Leeds StadiumA. Sweet651
Swinton Lions14–20 North Wales Crusaders13 February 2022, 15:00Heywood RoadL. Rush516
Source:[14]

Fourth round

The draw for the fourth round was made at the same time at the third.[13] Ties were played over the weekend of 26–28 February 2022. This round saw sides from the Championship enter.

Challenge Cup round 4 fixtures
HomeScoreAwayMatch Information
width=17%Date and Timewidth=22%Venuewidth=10%Refereewidth=7%Attendance
North Wales Crusaders30–8 Hunslet26 February 2022; 14:00Paton FieldM. Smaill452
Batley Bulldogs66–6Royal Navy27 February 2022; 13:00Mount PleasantL. Rush1,271
Doncaster0–60 Whitehaven27 February 2022; 14:00Keepmoat StadiumM. Rossleigh544
Hunslet Club Parkside20–40 Sheffield Eagles27 February 2022; 14:00B. Milligan450
Workington Town26–12 Dewsbury Rams27 February 2022; 14:00Derwent ParkB. Thaler872
Halifax Panthers16–29 Featherstone Rovers27 February 2022; 15:00The Mbi ShayM. Griffiths1,625
London Broncos8–34 Bradford Bulls27 February 2022; 15:00Plough LaneN. Bennett551
Rochdale Hornets12–38 Barrow Raiders27 February 2022; 15:00Spotland StadiumC. Worsley515
York City Knights42–13 Newcastle Thunder27 February 2022; 15:00York Community StadiumS. Mikalauskas1,221
Leigh Centurions38–4 Widnes Vikings28 February 2022; 19:45Leigh Sports VillageJ. Child2,567
Source:[15]

Fifth round

The draw for the fifth round was made on 28 February at the conclusion of the tie between Leigh and Widnes. Ties were played over the weekend of 12–14 March 2022.[16]

Challenge Cup round 5 fixtures
HomeScoreAwayMatch Information
width=17%Date and Timewidth=22%Venuewidth=10%Refereewidth=7%Attendance
North Wales Crusaders30–50 Sheffield Eagles12 March 2022, 13:30Eirias StadiumL. Rush330
Barrow Raiders32–1813 March 2022, 13:00Craven ParkB. Thaler1,825
Batley Bulldogs20–54 Featherstone Rovers13 March 2022, 15:00Mount PleasantJ. Vella1,003
Whitehaven38–12 York City Knights13 March 2022, 15:00Recreation GroundA. Moore798
Bradford Bulls16–20 Leigh Centurions14 March 2022, 19:45Odsal StadiumM. Griffiths1,221
Source:[17]

Sixth round

The draw for the sixth round was made on 14 March 2022, at Elland Road, Leeds. Ties were played over the weekend of 25–27 March 2022.[18]

Challenge Cup round 6 fixtures
HomeScoreAwayMatch Information
width=17%Date and Timewidth=22%Venuewidth=10%Refereewidth=7%Attendance
Wigan Warriors20–0 Salford Red Devils25 March 2022, 19:35DW StadiumR. Hicks6,005
Sheffield Eagles12–58 Hull FCRowspan=226 March 2022, 14:00Post Office RoadJ. Child1,039
Whitehaven4–46 St HelensRecreation GroundT. Grant4,869
Catalans Dragons27–1426 March 2022, 14:30Stade Gilbert BrutusC. Kendall3,624
Hull KR24–18 Leigh Centurions26 March 2022, 15:00Craven ParkA. Moore3,088
Leeds Rhinos16–40 Castleford Tigers26 March 2022, 16:30HeadingleyL. Moore5,122
Warrington Wolves12–16 Wakefield Trinity27 March 2022, 14:00Halliwell Jones StadiumJ. Smith2,627
Barrow Raiders16–30 Huddersfield Giants27 March 2022, 16:30Craven ParkM. Griffiths3,135
Source:[19]

Quarter-finals

The draw for the quarter-finals was made during the half-time broadcast of the sixth-round match between Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers. The draw was hosted by Tanya Arnold, and the teams were drawn by Robbie Hunter-Paul, and John Kear. Ties were played over the weekend of 8–10 April 2022.[20]

HomeScoreAwayMatch Information
width=17%Date and Timewidth=22%Venuewidth=10%Refereewidth=7%Attendance
Hull KR34–108 April 2022, 19:45Hull College Craven ParkR. Hicks
Catalans Dragons20–369 April 2022, 14:30Stade Gilbert BrutusC. Kendall8,624
Huddersfield Giants24–16 Hull FC9 April 2022, 17:00 John Smiths StadiumL. Moore3,637
Wakefield Trinity6–36 Wigan Warriors10 April 2022, 14:30Be Well Support StadiumJ. Child3,756
Source:[21]

Semi-finals

The draw for the semi-finals was made on 10 April. The ties were both played at Elland Road, Leeds on 7 May. They formed a triple-header with the final of the 2022 Women's Challenge Cup.

Team 1ScoreTeam 2Match Information
width=17%Date and Timewidth=22%Venuewidth=10%Refereewidth=7%Attendance
Wigan Warriors20–18 St Helens7 May 2022, 14:30Elland RoadJ. Child22,141
Huddersfield Giants25–47 May 2022, 17:00L. Moore
Source:

Final

See main article: 2022 Challenge Cup Final. The final of the 2022 Challenge Cup took place on 28 May at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

HomeScoreAwayMatch Information
width=12%Date and Timewidth=15%Venuewidth=10%Refereewidth=10%Attendance
Wigan Warriors16–14 Huddersfield Giants28 May 2022, 15:00Tottenham Hotspur StadiumJames Child51,628
Source:
Huddersfield second row forward, Chris McQueen was named winner of the Lance Todd Trophy.

Broadcast matches

Broadcast matches! Round! Match! Date! Broadcast method
1stOrrell St James v British Army15 January 2022Broadcast live on BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer[22]
Rochdale Mayfield v Wigan St Patricks Streamed live on The Sportsman[23]
Bentley v Stanningley16 January 2022Streamed live on Our League[24]
2ndBritish Army v Royal Navy29 January 2022Streamed live on The Sportsman[25]
Rochdale Hornets v Midlands Hurricanes30 January 2022Broadcast live on BBC Red Button and on BBC iPlayer
Oldham v Lock LaneStreamed live on Our League
3rdLock Lane v Rochdale Hornets12 February 2022Streamed live on The Sportsman[26]
Royal Navy v York AcornStreamed live on Our League
Hunslet v Siddal13 February 2022Broadcast live on BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer[27]
4thBatley Bulldogs v Royal Navy27 February 2022Broadcast live on BBC Sport and on BBC iPlayer[28]
York City Knights v Newcastle ThunderStreamed live on The Sportsman
Leigh Centurions v Widnes Vikings28 February 2022Broadcast live on Premier Sports
5thNorth Wales Crusaders v Sheffield Eagles12 March 2022Streamed live on Our League[29]
Barrow Raiders v Workington Town13 March 2022Broadcast live on BBC Sport and on BBC iPlayer[30]
Batley Bulldogs v Featherstone RoversStreamed live on The Sportsman
Bradford Bulls v Leigh Centurions14 March 2022Broadcast live on Premier Sports[31]
6thWigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils25 March 2022Streamed live on Premier Sports[32]
Whitehaven v St Helens26 March 2022Streamed live on The Sportsman
Leeds Rhinos v Castleford TigersBroadcast live on BBC Two
Warrington Wolves v Wakefield Trinity27 March 2022Streamed live on Premier Sports
Barrow Raiders v Huddersfield GiantsBroadcast live on BBC Two
QFHull KR v Castleford Tigers8 April 2022Streamed live on Premier Sports[33]
Catalans Dragons v St Helens9 April 2022Broadcast live on BBC One
Huddersfield Giants v Hull FCStreamed live on Premier Sports
Wakefield Trinity v Wigan Warriors10 April 2022Broadcast live on BBC Two
Rowspan=2SFWigan Warriors v St HelensRowspan=27 May 2022Broadcast live on BBC One[34]
Hull KR v Huddersfield GiantsBroadcast live on BBC Two
FWigan Warriors v Huddersfield Giants28 May 2022Broadcast live on BBC One

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Challenge Cup 2022: Draw details for Rounds One and Two . 12 January 2022 . Sky Sports . 14 December 2021.
  2. Web site: Challenge Cup 2022 details with one Super League club not participating . Examiner Live . 10 November 2021 . 30 November 2021.
  3. Web site: Challenge Cup final: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to host showpiece instead of Wembley next year | Rugby League News . Sky Sports . 12 August 2021 . 30 November 2021.
  4. Web site: Challenge Cup final to move from Wembley to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium . BBC Sport . 2021-08-12 . 2021-11-30.
  5. Web site: Betfred extend Challenge Cup sponsorship to include Finals at Tottenham and Wembley . Rugby Football League . 12 August 2021 . 30 November 2021.
  6. Web site: Toulouse Olympique and Cornwall opt out of Challenge Cup as amateur entrants revealed . TotalRL.com . 16 December 2021 . 30 November 2021.
  7. Web site: BBC Sport confirm enhanced Challenge Cup coverage from 2022 . Warrington Guardian . 15 December 2020 . 30 November 2021.
  8. News: McAllister . Josh . Three Challenge Cup fixtures to be shown live this weekend . 12 January 2022 . LoveRugbyLeague . 12 January 2022.
  9. News: Betfred Championship strikes two-year broadcast deal with Premier Sports . 14 February 2022 . www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk . 6 October 2021 .
  10. Web site: 14 December 2021 . Challenge Cup 2022: Draw details for Rounds One and Two . Sky Sports . 6 January 2022 .
  11. News: Challenge Cup Scoreboard . . 23 . 3311 . 17 January 2022.
  12. News: Scoreboard: Betfred Challenge Cup Round Two . . 35 . 31 January 2022 . 3313.
  13. Web site: Ibbetson . Stephen . Featherstone Rovers face Halifax Panthers as Challenge Cup third and fourth round draws made . TotalRL.com . 1 February 2022 . 1 February 2022.
  14. News: Scoreboard: Betfred Challenge Cup Round Three . . 36 . 14 February 2022 . 3315.
  15. News: Scoreboard: Betfred Challenge Cup Round Four . . 35 . 28 February 2022 . 3317.
  16. News: Darbyshire . Drew . Draw made for the fifth round of the Challenge Cup . 1 March 2022 . LoveRugbyLeague . 28 February 2022.
  17. News: Scoreboard: Betfred Challenge Cup Round Five . . 31. 14 March 2022 . 3319.
  18. News: Darbyshire . Drew . Draw made for the sixth round of the Challenge Cup . 14 March 2022 . LoveRugbyLeague.
  19. Web site: McAllister . Josh . In numbers: Challenge Cup sixth round attendances . LoveRugbyLeague . 28 March 2022 . 28 March 2022.
  20. News: Catalans to face Saints in Challenge Cup Quarter-final . 26 March 2022 . Total RL . 26 March 2022.
  21. News: Betfred Challenge Cup:Quarter-finals . . 11 April 2022 . 3323 . 35.
  22. Web site: Challenge Cup 2022: Orrell St James v British Army kicks off BBC live stream coverage . 5 January 2022 . BBC Sport.
  23. News: Ibbetson . Stephen . Broadcast deal agreed for League 1 and Women’s Super League . 12 January 2022 . TotalRL.com Rugby League Express Rugby League World . 12 January 2022.
  24. Web site: McAllister . Josh . Our League confirm round one Challenge Cup coverage . LoveRugbyLeague . 12 January 2022 . 9 January 2022.
  25. Web site: The Sportsman To Broadcast Historic Army vs Navy Betfred Challenge Cup Clash . The Sportsman . 21 January 2022 . 21 January 2022.
  26. Web site: Betfred Challenge Cup Third Round schedule and coverage confirmed . www.rugby-league.com . RFL . 4 February 2022.
  27. Web site: Gordon . James . BBC to show Challenge Cup third round tie . LoveRugbyLeague . 4 February 2022 . 4 February 2022.
  28. Web site: Betfred Challenge Cup round 4 - live coverage confirmed . rugby-league.com . RFL . 14 February 2022 . 14 February 2022.
  29. Web site: Crusaders vs Eagles - Challenge Cup R5 info . Sheffield Eagles . 2 March 2022 . 2 March 2022.
  30. Web site: BBC Sport to show Cumbrian derby in Round 5 of the Betfred Challenge Cup . rugby-league.com . RFL . 2 March 2022 . 2 March 2022.
  31. News: Gordon . James . Televised Challenge Cup fifth round tie confirmed . 2 March 2022 . LoveRugbyLeague . 2 March 2022.
  32. Web site: Betfred Challenge Cup Sixth round televised ties confirmed . rugby-league.com . RFL . 15 March 2022 . 15 March 2022.
  33. Web site: Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter-final Broadcast Details Confirmed . www.rugby-league.com . RFL . 28 March 2022 . 28 March 2022.
  34. Web site: Broadcast Details Confirmed for BetFred Challenge Cup Triple Header . www.rugby-league.com . . 11 April 2022 . 11 April 2022.

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