Challenge Cup R5: On-fire Warrington, Bears’ cupset dream & more
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The Ladbrokes Challenge Cup returns this weekend for the Fifth Round. That means the arrival of four Super League sides – and the possibility for one mammoth giant-killing.
Ahead of the weekend’s actions, we’ve covered the big talking points. That kicks off with a look at Coventry Bears’ bid to produce a momentous cupset…
Could Kelly’s Bears stun struggling Widnes?
Despite a difficult start to their league campaign, League 1 Coventry have caught the eye in the Challenge Cup.
After breezing past Distlington with a 42-12 third round win, Conor Kelly’s side produced another comfortable win when faced with the tougher test of Pilkington Recs.
While getting a result away at Widnes Vikings on Saturday remains extremely unlikely, there’s every chance the Bears will give their illustrious hosts a scare. Especially so as Dennis Betts’ men have lost four games on the trot.
Unstoppable Warrington looking for magnificent seven
It seems nothing can stop Warrington Wolves right now. They’ve won six games in succession, and have the likes of Toby King and Stefan Ratchford in terrific form.
And they’ve not just been beating opponents, they’ve been doing so at a canter. The Wire have won all six of those matches by 10 or more points, and became the first side to nil Catalan Dragons since May 2017.
Their visitors this weekend are a Bradford Bulls side who have bounced back well from last season’s relegation, currently sitting second in League 1 after five wins from six.
Despite winning this competition in 2016, Warrington departed at the quarter-final stage last season. Ahead of this game, it’s 8/1 for the Wolves to regain the trophy in 2018.
All-Yorkshire tussle is intriguing match-up
The last meeting between Doncaster and Featherstone Rovers came back in 2015, as Rovers pulled off a 28-16 victory in 2015’s Super 8s Championship Shield. In fact, Featherstone have won each of the last three clashes.
However, while the Championship side have history on their side, the Dons are sitting top of the tree in League 1.
And they have plenty of experience in their ranks, including former Ireland international prop Ryan Boyle and ex-Castleford Tigers stalwart Richard Owen.
With Featherstone strong in attack but possessing the worst defensive record in the Champ’s top-four, this should be an engaging, high-scoring affair.
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