The 2025 Challenge Cup welcomed the ‘big boys’ to the competition at round three, with a money-making day for a number of smaller clubs with an opportunity to play host to the top sides in the country, but few with more than ‘a snowball’s chance in hell’ of progression into the fourth-round draw.
One of the hopefuls was York RLFC Knights whose reward for a comprehensive 72-12 win over the Keighley Cougars last weekend was a home tie against last years Grand Finalists, and on of the favourites for this seasons Super League crown, Hull Kingston Rovers.
There was a record home crowd in attendance, those from York with the hope of a cup upset, but with the fear of a cricket score in the away column.
A mass brawl on three minutes gifted York an early opportunity to take the lead, Will Dagger kicking the two-point penalty from twenty metres out to give the home side an early lead.
A great defensive stint by York maintained their line in the face of a concerted Hull KR attacking period. Getting a penalty close to their own line on fifteen they managed to break away from their line and make good progress downfield. The Robins were finding the early going tough.
On twenty-one Mikey Lewis scored the first four-pointer of the game, taking the ball ten out from the line, fending off the York tackler, and grounding by the left corner flag to the delight of the travelling support. Rhyse Martin was wide with his first competitive conversion attempt with his new club.
A delightful pass from Lewis on twenty-six went into the grateful hands of Martin who stumbled under the tackle before crawling over the line on his knees for a second KR try. Martin found the target this time and moved into a 10-2 lead, the Knights visibly tiring after a fantastic opening twenty.
Just after the half hour the flood gates started to open. Peta Hiku breaking the line after two failed tackles to score from ten metres out. Martin was again on target, the KR supporters jubilant, the York fans more subdued.
Plenty of space wide right allowed Tom Davies an unopposed run to the line after fast hands down the line for a fourth KR try. Rounding closer to the sticks he gave Martin a simpler conversion for 22-2.
Some great pressure from York was unrewarded and after withstanding the onslaught the Robins turned defence into attack on fifty-seven with great passing and fast hands advancing downfield at pace, Martin going over on the corner for his second try of the evening. Martin was wide with the conversion.
A brilliant break from Jez Litten, dropping the shoulder and going forty metres down the middle, allowed him to find the supporting Niall Evalds as he took the tackle, the KR full back going under the sticks. Martin added the goal for 32-2.
Lewis got his second on seventy after Evalds went through the middle after a training park move with a neat interplay between Litten and May. Martin was on target again, KR pulling away at 38-2.
The flood gates were open, Kelepi Tanginoa taking a soft pass to go between two York tackler and walk over the line to score. Martin was on target for 44-2 and an easy victory.
No surprises or slip-ups for the red and white side of Hull as the Robins progress into the fourth-round draw. All credit to York who never gave up trying, but the full timers simply had way too much firepower for their hosts.
York RLFC Knights: Dagger (G 1/1), Brown, Buchanan, Field, Harrison, Hingano, Harris, Martin, McShane, Thompson, Dee, Bailey, Gannon. Subs: Santi, Fitzsimmonds, Teanby, Cook. 18th Man: Pemberton.
Hull KR: Evalds (T), Davies (T), Hiku (T), Gildart, Burgess, Lewis (2T), May, Sue, McIlorum, Waerea-Hargreaves, Martin (2T, G 5/7), Batchelor, Minchella. Subs: Litten, Hadley, Whitbread, Tanginoa (T). 18th Man: Brown.
Half-Time: 2-16.
Full-Time: 2-44.
Score Progression: 2-0, 2-4, 2-8, 2-10, 2-14, 2-16 : HT: 2-20, 2-22, 2-26, 2-30, 2-32, 2-36, 2-38, 2-42, 2-44 :FT.
Lead Exchanges: York – Hull KR.
Referee: Chris Kendall.
