The 2011 Challenge Cup (also known as the Carnegie Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 110th staging of the most competitive European rugby league tournament at club level and was open to teams from England, Wales, Scotland, France and Russia. It began its preliminary stages in January 2011. The Challenge Cup is Warrington Wolves were the reigning champions, but lost 24 - 44 at home to the Wigan Warriors in the quarter-finals, who went on to win the title after beating Leeds Rhinos 28 - 18 in the final. Rugby Football League chief executive Nigel Wood reported that in 2011 Challenge Cup viewing figures on BBC Television had increased by 21.3 per cent compared to 2010 and are 26.8 per cent higher than they were in 2009.[1]
| Duration | 9 Rounds |
|---|---|
| Highest attendance | 78,482 |
| Broadcast partners |  BBC Sport |
| Winners |  Wigan Warriors |
| Runners-up |  Leeds Rhinos |
| Biggest home win |  Warrington Wolves 112-0  Swinton Lions |
| Biggest away win | Northumbria University 0-132  York City Knights |
| Lance Todd Trophy | Jeff Lima |
Preliminary round
editThe draws for the Preliminary and First Round was made on 7 December 2010. Ties were played on 8–10 January with some ties played on 15–16 January.[2]
Pool A
edit| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||||
| Oulton Raiders | 23–22 | Normanton Knights | 15 January 2011 13:30 | Raider Park | D Sharpe | |||
| Ovendon | 26–28 | Rochdale Mayfield | 8 January 2011 13:30 | Four Fields | T Mahar | |||
| Millom | 8–12 | Egremont Rangers | 8 January 2011 13:30 | Coronation Field | A Smith | |||
| Eccles and Salford Juniors | 26–6 | Castleford Panthers | 8 January 2011 13:30 | Moat Hall | R Cowling | |||
| Yorkshire Cup winners | 0–0 | Drighlington | Match cancelled | B Robinson | ||||
| Shaw Cross Sharks ARLFC | 20–21 | Stanley Rangers | 8 January 2011 13:30 | Paul Hinchliffe Memorial | C Kendall | |||
| Bank Quay Bulls | 26–18 | Seaton Rangers | 15 January 2011 13:30 | Dallam Playing Fields | C Kendall | |||
Pool B
edit| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||||
| St Albans Centurions | 22–32 | British Police | 9 January 2011 14:00 | Pennine Way | S Davis | 50 | ||
| Loughborough University | 38–0 | Featherstone Lions | 16 January 2011 13:30 | Loughborough University | J Bloem | |||
| Northampton Demons | 46–10 | Gloucester University | 16 January 2011 13:30 | Rushmills | P Marklove | |||
Round 1
editFirst Round played weekend of 22 January with some ties played weekend of 29 January and 5 February. The match between Kells and Bradford Dudley Hill took place on 12 February.
Pool A
editPool B
edit| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||||
| Loughborough University | 18–10 | Kippax Knights | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Loughborough University | P Stockman | |||
| Northampton Demons | 12–26 | Leeds Met University | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Rushmills | S Ansell | |||
| Nottingham Outlaws | 30–32 | RAF | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Highfields | R Webb | |||
| Warrington Wizards | 44–18 | Carluke Tigers | 23 January 2011 13:30 | Wilderspool Stadium | S Barrie | |||
| University of Central Lancashire | 12–20 | Northumbria University | 22 January 2011 13:30 | University of Central Lancashire | S Mikalauskas | |||
| Edge Hill University | 28–16 | Hull University | 2 February 2011 19:30 | Edge Hill University | J Bloem | |||
| Royal Navy | 28–14 | British Police | 22 January 2011 13:30 | Torpoint | M Hague | |||
| Valley Cougars | 24–30 | The Army | 23 January 2011 13:30 | The Park Nelson | M Woodhead | |||
Round 2
editThe draw for the Second Round was made on 24 January. Ties played weekend of 5 February with some ties played weekend of 12 February. The match between Fryston Warriors and Bradford Dudley Hill took place on 19 February.
Pool A
edit| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||||
| East Leeds | 4–64 | Hull Dockers | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Richmond Hill | T Crashley | |||
| Castleford Lock Lane | 18–16 | Stanley Rangers | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Lock Lane Sports Centre | C Kendall | |||
| Milford Marlins | 24–16 | Skirlaugh Bulls | 12 February 2011 14:00 | Milford Sports Club | S Ansell | |||
| Wigan St Patricks | 16–18 | Leigh Miners Rangers | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Harper Street | J Bloem | |||
| Hunslet Warriors | 22–16 | Wigan St Judes | 5 February 2011 13:30 | The Oval | A Gill | |||
| Fryston Warriors | 16–12 | Bradford Dudley Hill | 19 February 2011 14:00 | Askham Road | B Robinson | |||
| Rochdale Mayfield | 12–25 | Siddal | 12 February 2011 14:30 | Mayfield Sports Centre | T Mahar | |||
| East Hull | 31–22 | Myton Warriors | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Rosmead Sports Centre | C Halloran | |||
| Egremont Rangers | 22–10 | Wath Brow Hornets | 5 February 2011 13:30 | North Road | J Cobb | |||
| Leigh East | 16–18 | Thatto Heath Crusaders | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Ledgard Street | D Sharpe | |||
Pool B
edit| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||||
| The Army | 27–16 | RAF | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Aldershot Rugby Stadium | P Stockman | |||
| Loughborough University | 18–25 | Northumbria University | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Holywell Park | J Leahy | |||
| Warrington Wizards | 28–20 | Royal Navy | 6 February 2011 13:30 | Wilderspool Stadium | P Brooke | |||
| Leeds Metropolitan University | 44–14 | Hull University | 5 February 2011 13:30 | Leeds Metropolitan University | B Robinson | |||
Round 3
editThird Round draw was made on 15 February. Ties were played on weekend of 5 March.
Round 4
editFourth round draw was made on 20 March. Ties were played on weekend of 7 May.
Round 5
edit| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||||
| Leeds Rhinos | 40–20 | Harlequins | 20 May 2011 20:00 | Headingley Stadium | B Thaler | 7,147 | ||
| Salford City Reds | 0–25 | Hull Kingston Rovers | 20 May 2011 20:00 | The Willows | T Alibert | 2,087 | ||
| Warrington Wolves | 112–0 | Swinton Lions | 20 May 2011 20:00 | Halliwell Jones Stadium | T Roby | 4,440 | ||
| Wakefield Trinity Wildcats | 18–20 | Castleford Tigers | 21 May 2011 14:30 | The Rapid Solicitors Stadium | R Silverwood | 6,604 | ||
| Widnes Vikings | 26–50 | Hull | 21 May 2011 15:00 | Stobart Stadium | R Hicks | 3,387 | ||
| Huddersfield Giants | 30–16 | Catalans Dragons | 22 May 2011 15:00 | Galpharm Stadium | P Bentham | 3,198 | ||
| St. Helens | 70–0 | Featherstone Rovers | 22 May 2011 15:00 | Stobart Stadium | J Child | 2,905 | ||
| Bradford Bulls | 22–26 | Wigan Warriors | 22 May 2011 15:30 | Grattan Stadium | S Ganson | 5,828 | ||
Quarter finals
edit| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Attendance | |||||
| Warrington Wolves | 24–44 | Wigan Warriors | 23 July 2011 16:30 | Halliwell Jones Stadium | R Silverwood | 13,024 | ||
| Hull F.C. | 22–38 | Leeds Rhinos | 24 July 2011 15:30 | KC Stadium | S Ganson | 9,496 | ||
| Castleford Tigers | 22–18 | Huddersfield Giants | 24 July 2011 15:30 | PROBIZ Colliseum | P Bentham | 6,336 | ||
| St. Helens | 54–6 | Hull Kingston Rovers | 24 July 2011 15:00 | Stobart Stadium | B Thaler | 6,449 | ||
Semi finals
editFinal
edit.jpg)
The two sides with the most Challenge Cup Final appearances had only met twice before, Wigan winning both times (1994 and 1995). Leeds had played in the previous year's Challenge Cup final loss, but it was the Wigan's Warriors' first visit to the new Wembley Stadium. Abide with me was sung by Rhydian Roberts.
The game was broadcast by BBC with John Kear and Dave Woods commentating, as well as additional commentary from Tanya Arnold, Clare Balding, Jonathan Davies, Robbie Hunter-Paul, Justin Morgan and Brian Noble. The English national anthem was then sung before referee Phil Bentham, overseeing his first Challenge Cup final, blew time on and Leeds's captain Kevin Sinfield kicked off.
Saturday, 27 August
14:30 |
| Leeds Rhinos | 18 - 28 | Wigan Warriors |
|---|---|---|
| Tries Ryan Hall (2) Ben Jones-Bishop Carl Ablett Goals |
Report |
Tries Jeff Lima (2) Josh Charnley Joel Tomkins Thomas Leuluai Goals |
| Leeds Rhinos | Posit. | Wigan Warriors |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Brent Webb | FB | 1 Sam Tomkins |
| 23 Ben Jones-Bishop | WG | 25 Josh Charnley |
| 19 Kallum Watkins | CE | 12 Joel Tomkins |
| 12 Carl Ablett | CE | 4 George Carmont |
| 5 Ryan Hall | WG | 5 Pat Richards |
| 13 Kevin Sinfield (c) | SO | 6 Paul Deacon |
| 6 Danny McGuire | SH | 17 Brett Finch |
| 8 Kylie Leuluai | PR | 10 Andy Coley |
| 9 Danny Buderus | HK | 7 Thomas Leuluai |
| 10 Jamie Peacock | PR | 15 Jeff Lima |
| 11 Jamie Jones-Buchanan | SR | 11 Harrison Hansen |
| 3 Brett Delaney | SR | 16 Ryan Hoffman |
| 20 Weller Hauraki | LF | 13 Sean O'Loughlin (c) |
| 7 Rob Burrow | Int. | 9 Michael McIlorum |
| 16 Ryan Bailey | Int. | 14 Paul Prescott |
| 17 Ian Kirke | Int. | 21 Lee Mossop |
| 21 Chris Clarkson | Int. | 22 Liam Farrell |
| Brian McDermott | Coach | Michael Maguire |
UK Broadcasting rights
editSelected matches were televised solely by the BBC, for the last time. The following season the BBC and Sky Sports shared a selected round 4 and round 5 match and the BBC televising two quarter final matches and Sky Sports televising the other two quarter finals. The BBC still televised the semi-finals and the final.[citation needed]
| Round | Live match | Date | BBC channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 4 | Leeds Rhinos 30 - 20 Crusaders Halifax 34 - 46 Bradford Bulls |
May 7, 2011 May 8, 2011 |
BBC One (First half)/BBC Two (Second half)1 BBC Two |
| Round 5 | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 18 - 20 Castleford Tigers Bradford Bulls 22 - 26 Wigan Warriors |
May 21, 2011 May 22, 2011 |
BBC One2 BBC Two |
| Quarter finals | Warrington Wolves 24 - 44 Wigan Warriors Hull F.C. 22 - 38 Leeds Rhinos |
July 23, 2011 July 24, 2011 |
BBC Two |
| Semi finals | Wigan Warriors 18 - 12 St. Helens Castleford Tigers 8 - 10 aet Leeds Rhinos |
August 6, 2011 August 7, 2011 | |
| Final | Leeds Rhinos 18 - 28 Wigan Warriors | Saturday August 27 | BBC One |
1 Except Northern Ireland.
2 Except Scotland which was televised live on BBC Two Scotland.
References
edit- ^ rleague.com (27 August 2011). "Challenge Cup continues to grow in stature". wiganwarriors.com. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "Carnegie Challenge Cup kicks off this weekend". Rugby Football League. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
- ^ "Wigan edge thrilling cup final". uk.eurosport.yahoo.com. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
External links
edit- Challenge Cup on the Rugby Football League's website
- Official Website