2007 Challenge Cup


The 2007 Carnegie Challenge Cup began in February 2007. The Challenge Cup is the most prestigious knock-out competition in the world of rugby league, featuring teams from across Europe including England, Scotland, Wales, France and Russia.
In 2007 the preliminary round was dropped, reducing the number of amateur clubs involved. Teams from the National League were given byes to round three, and teams from the Super League entered in round four. Teams from outside the UK were introduced at various stages.
St. Helens successfully defended their title after beating Catalans Dragons 30 – 8 in the final at the new Wembley Stadium on 26 August.

Round 1

Teams came from the National Conference League, Rugby League Conference, Student Rugby League, Pennine League, North West Counties, Yorkshire League, CARLA, Hull & District League and the Armed Forces. This round consisted entirely of amateur teams. Fife Lions, the only Scottish club in the tournament, were eliminated.
Tie noHome teamScoreAway team
1Rochdale Mayfield50–16Millom
2Saddleworth Rangers34–20Halton Simms Cross
3Thornhill Trojans58–18South London Storm
4Eccles & Salford20–2Blackbrook
5Royal Navy30–28Waterhead
6Siddal18–14York Acorn
7Bradford Dudley Hill42–4Brighouse Rangers
8The Army20–28Leigh Miners Rangers
9Eastmoor Dragons28–6Shaw Cross Sharks ARLFC
10East Leeds56–0Warrington Wizards
11Wath Brow Hornets22–26Oulton Raiders
12Seaton Rangers50–10Queens
13Heworth10–36Hull Isberg
14Drighlington44–0Askam
15Skirlaugh74–0Milford Marlins
16Hull Dockers52–8Thatto Heath Crusaders
17Dewsbury Celtic36–20Ovenden
18Crosfields6–34West Bowling
19Egremont Rangers34–18Oldham St Annes
20Wigan St Patricks28–38Leeds Metro. University
21Ince Rose Bridge12–35Widnes St Maries
22Royal Air Force0–42East Hull
23West Hull38–12Castleford Panthers
24Hull Victoria14–44Castleford Lock Lane
25Stanningley20–36Leigh East
26Bramley Buffaloes12–18Wigan St Judes
27Normanton Knights46–8Fife Lions

Round 2

Russian team Kazan Arrows entered the competition. Castleford Lock Lane defeated Bradford Dudley Hill after extra time in the closest game of this round, which against consisted of amateur teams.
Tie noHome teamScoreAway team
1Bradford Dudley Hill26–28Castleford Lock Lane
2East Hull50–4Dewsbury Celtic
3Eccles & Salford40–28Egremont Rangers
4Leigh East10–25Oulton Raiders
5Leigh MR34–18Leeds Metro. University
6Rochdale Mayfield50–0East Leeds
7Royal Navy26–28Normanton
8Saddleworth21–14Siddal
9Thornhill38–20Kazan Arrows
10West Hull23–16Skirlaugh
11Widnes St Maries22–6Hull Isberg
12Wigan St Judes22–30Drighlington

Round 3

Teams from National League Two, National League One entered at this stage, as did three teams from France and Lokomotiv Moscow from Russia.
Lokomotiv's defeat ended the competition for Russian teams. The Castleford derby was a highlight of the draw, though the professional Castleford Tigers defeated their amateur neighbours. 2005 semi-finalists Toulouse failed to win at York, though Pia's victory against Blackpool ensured that one team from the French Rugby League Championship progressed. All remaining amateur teams were eliminated.
Tie noHome teamScoreAway team
1York City Knights54–28Toulouse Olympique
2Hunslet Hawks40–22Rochdale Mayfield
3Featherstone Rovers52–10Drighlington
4Batley Bulldogs60–6Widnes St Maries
5Whitehaven24–10Doncaster Lakers
6Dewsbury Rams36–34Leigh Centurions
7Normanton Knights10–78Widnes Vikings
8Castleford Tigers88–10Castleford Lock Lane
9Swinton Lions60–20Lokomotiv Moscow
10Workington Town18–10Oulton Raiders
11Keighley Cougars34–6Thornhill
12Halifax86–12Eccles & Salford
13Leigh Miners Rangers18–46Sheffield Eagles
14West Hull18–70Barrow Raiders
15Rochdale Hornets48–6Saddleworth
16East Hull10–26Oldham R.L.F.C.
17Blackpool Panthers18–42Pia
18West Bowling8–24London Skolars
19Celtic Crusaders50–10Eastmoor Dragons
20Gateshead Thunder38–22Limoux Grizzlies

Round 4

This round saw the teams from the Super League enter. The only all-Super League match saw Warrington defeat Hull KR. Celtic Crusaders' defeat saw the final Welsh team leave the tournament. Once again, however, all games went to form, with no sides from lower leagues defeating a team from a higher league. Pia's defeat saw the French rugby league championship's exit from the Cup.
Tie noHome teamScoreAway team
1Keighley Cougars10–20Oldham R.L.F.C.
2Dewsbury Rams28–46Sheffield Eagles
3Whitehaven36–8Halifax
4Widnes Vikings24–34Wigan Warriors
5Swinton Lions14–47Barrow Raiders
6London Skolars4–52Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
7Rochdale Hornets20–16Celtic Crusaders
8Huddersfield Giants74–4York City Knights
9Hull F.C.78–0Hunslet Hawks
10Pia8–64Harlequins
11Catalans Dragons70–12Featherstone Rovers
12Warrington Wolves38–10Hull Kingston Rovers
13Bradford Bulls24–16Castleford Tigers
14Leeds Rhinos72–10Workington Town
15St. Helens78–14Batley Bulldogs
16Gateshead Thunder4–64Salford City Reds

Round 5

No new teams enter at this stage with all matches scheduled to be played over 12 and 13 May. The remaining teams for the 5th round are made up with eleven teams from Super League, three from National League One and two from National League Two.
Tie noHome teamScoreAway team
1Whitehaven14–24Catalans Dragons
2Warrington Wolves48–16Barrow Raiders
3Leeds Rhinos18–22Wigan Warriors
4Hull F.C.44–6Sheffield Eagles
5Salford City Reds10–36Huddersfield Giants
6St. Helens70–10Rochdale Hornets
7Oldham R.L.F.C.6–66Harlequins
8Wakefield Trinity Wildcats4–14Bradford Bulls

Quarter-finals

----
----
----

Semi-finals

----

Final

UK Broadcasting rights

The tournament was screened in the United Kingdom by the BBC.
RoundBBC live match
Round 4
Round 5
Quarter-finals
Semi-finalsBradford Bulls v St. Helens
Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons
FinalSt. Helens v Catalans Dragons