Powergen Challenge Cup Quarter Final Previews
22nd June 2005HULL FC v LEIGH CENTURIONS (Saturday 25th June, Kick Off 3.00pm)
Hull FC won 21-14 at Leigh Centurions in the Powergen Challenge Cup fourth round last season, but scraped only a 22-22 draw when they returned for an engage Super League clash this year. They then had a 30-16 home win over the Centurions last Friday. Leigh have not beaten Hull since 1993 when they had a 36-20 victory at the old Boulevard ground. Since then the Airlie Birds have remained unbeaten in five matches, including a draw.
Last semi-final appearance
Hull: v Leeds Rhinos Lost 22-28 2000
Leigh: v St. Helens Lost 8-14 1987
LEEDS RHINOS v LONDON BRONCOS (Friday 24th June, Kick Off 8.00pm)
Cup meetings between these two teams invariably inspire memories of the last final to be played at Wembley in 1999. Then Leeds cantered to a record final victory of 52-16. Barrie McDermott is likely to be the only Leeds survivor from that game with none of the London team remaining. Leeds have continued their supremacy and are unbeaten in their last 12 meetings, including one draw. The last London win was 18-6 at Headingley in 2000.
Last semi-final appearance
Leeds: v St. Helens Won 33-26 2003
London: v Castleford Won 33-27 1999
ST. HELENS v WIGAN WARRIORS (Sunday 26th June, Kick Off 4.00pm)
Yet another Powergen Challenge Cup meeting between two of the major powers in the game. They met in the first year of the Challenge Cup competition back in 1897 and in last year’s final when St. Helens won 32-16. The score after 25 Cup clashes is: Wigan 14 wins and St. Helens 8 with three draws. The added spice, of course, is that Ian Millward has moved from Saints to coach Wigan since the draw was made.
Last semi-final appearance
St. Helens v Huddersfield Giants Won 46-6 2004
Wigan v Warrington Wolves Won 30-18 2004
TOULOUSE v WIDNES VIKINGS (Sunday 26th June, Kick Off 2.00pm BST)
Toulouse are aiming to make RL Challenge Cup history by becoming the first French club to reach the semi-finals of the Powergen Challenge Cup. The only time a French club played in the sixth round Villeneuve were beaten 32-0 at Warrington Wolves in 2001. This is Toulouse’s fourth season in the Cup and they had never progressed beyond the third round until this year. Widnes will be their first Super League opponents, Toulouse having progressed to this stage by winning 58-18 at Blackpool Panthers and 60-12 at home to Wath Brow amateurs.
Last semi-final appearance
Toulouse: None
Widnes: v St. Helens Lost 14-24 1996