Two more Super League clubs progressed in the Challenge Cup on Saturday evening but one of them will be sweating disciplinary after a red card for one of their star man.
After Castleford Tigers and Leeds Rhinos came through tough battles in the afternoon, defeating Doncaster 14-0 and Widnes 25-12 respectively, it was the turn of York Knights and Leigh Leopards.
Thus far, every Super League side has progressed to the fourth round with Friday night’s winners making far easier work of it than those on Saturday afternoon, however, more normal service resumed under the floodlights.
York beat Championship leaders Barrow 32-6 but it could have been a lot more had Liam Harris brought his kicking boots, with the Knights scoring seven tries but only converting two of those.
As for Leigh, they travelled to North Wales where they beat the Crusaders 60-6 with all of Josh Charnley, Edwin Ipape and Lachlan Lam scoring braces in their eleven-try victory.
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Paul McShane facing possible Super League ban after red card
Those wins ensure that both York Knights and Leigh Leopards will see their name in the pot for the draw on Monday evening, however, York will be more concerned about the fact that Paul McShane was sent off just before half-time.
Former Man of Steel winner and last year’s Championship Player of the Year McShane was sent off alongside Barrow’s Greg Richards with the pair shown red for fighting.
That could carry a weighty disciplinary fine that may well rule McShane out of the Super League season opener against Hull KR on Thursday night, and possibly for even longer.
For Kevin Moore to show a red card, he likely will have deemed the incident more than simple pushing and shoving with previous examples of players being sin binned for what was dubbed ‘fighting’ ultimately resulting in no charge.
Instead, York will have the short but nervous wait ahead of Monday’s disciplinary panel to hear if McShane is banned or not.
Jesse Dee was also sent to the sin bin in the match so he too could be facing a charge.
Challenge Cup results so far
Friday, 6th February
Hunslet 6-52 Huddersfield Giants – South Leeds Stadium
Sheffield Eagles 6-34 Warrington Wolves – Halliwell Jones Stadium
Workington Town 2-98 St Helens – Fibrus Community Stadium
Lock Lane 0-104 Hull KR – Craven Park
Salford RLFC 0-60 Hull FC – CorpAcq Stadium
Saturday 7th February:
Doncaster RLFC 0-14 Castleford Tigers – Eco-Power Stadium
Widnes Vikings 12-25 Leeds Rhinos – DCBL Stadium
Barrow Raiders 6-32 York Knights – Northern Competitions Stadium
North Wales Crusaders 6-60 Leigh Leopards – Stadium Eirias
Sunday 8th February:
Batley Bulldogs vs Catalans Dragons – Fox’s Biscuits Stadium
London Broncos vs Bradford Bulls – Cherry Red Records Stadium
Halifax Panthers vs Goole Vikings – The Shay
Keighley Cougars vs Midlands Hurricanes – Cougar Park
Oldham RLFC vs Dewsbury Rams – Bower Fold
Rochdale Hornets vs Wigan Warriors – Crown Oil Arena
Swinton Lions vs Wakefield Trinity – Heywood Road
Leeds Rhinos’ latest transfer pursuit, Hull FC new boy assessed and potential cup ‘upsets’ – Check out the latest episode of The Serious About Rugby League Show here.
