Chapter 18. Halifax teams in the Challenge Cup and other RFL competitions.

Local teams have regularly featured in the Challenge Cup over the years, particularly National Conference teams whose qualification route is simpler. Siddal, Ovenden, Elland and Illingworth all progressed far enough to meet semi-professional opposition, Siddal taking pride of place in that they beat two of them. In 2010 they thrashed Doncaster at Keepmoat Stadium by 26-0, and in 2016 beat Newcastle Thunder by 30-4 at home, the ground known at the time as Reactiv Park. They went out in the following round against Batley at The Shay, having the previous year been edged out there by Swinton by just 10-6.There have been other memorable performances at Chevinedge; in 2017 they gave Toronto Woolpack a scare in Toronto’s first ever match before losing 14-6, battled manfully for most of the game against Sheffield Eagles in 2023, then in 2024 matching Wakefield Trinity in the first half before being overwhelmed in the second.

Ovenden have six times met semi-professional opposition, losing to Halifax twice, in 1976-7 by 24-4 in the Players No 6 Trophy and in 2010 by 88-10 in the Challenge Cup, and also missing out against Highfield in 1994-5 by just 12-6, Wakefield Trinity in 1997 by 52-0, Salford in 1998 by 74-0, and York City Knights 50-10 in 2006.

Elland made it a couple of times, losing 64-6 against Leigh in 2004 and 50-12 against York City Knights in 2005. They were also involved in the Yorkshire Senior Competition Cup (for semi-professional reserve teams) in 1985-6, losing to Halifax “A” in October at Thrum Hall by just 15-11 in front of 2,013 spectators. Illingworth might have regretted their one opportunity when they were drawn against Rochdale Hornets in the 2005 Challenge Cup 3rd round; after great performances to beat Crosfields, Stanningley and Eccles & Salford Juniors in earlier rounds, they lost by 120 points to 4.