Coral Challenge Cup 5th Round: Thatto Heath and Workington featured
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Preview for the 5th round of the Coral Challenge Cup
From Red Star Belgrade’s debut, to the surprise defeat of North Wales Crusaders in the fourth round and everything in between, it’s already been a memorable 2019 Coral Challenge Cup.
Now things are about to get even more interesting as six Super League teams enter the mix. Will there be a shock involving lowly Leeds Rhinos, or can Halifax upset London Broncos at The Shay?
That’s all to come. But first we look at amateur side Thatto Heath, who are the only side left remaining from round one.
Thatto Heath still going strong
It’s been some tournament for Thatto Heath. The National Conference League amateurs have already come through four rounds and taken the scalp of League 1 side North Wales Crusaders.
They’ll have wanted a plum tie at home to one of the Super League big boys in round five. But a fixture at Crusader Park against inconsistent Championship outfit Dewsbury represents a big chance.
Their visitors have lost five of their eight matches so far this term and have scored just 154 points along the way. They went out of the Challenge Cup to a lower ranked side 12 months ago too.
Lewis Foster, Connor Dwyer and Matt Norton all got on the scoresheet for Thatto Heath in the last round. They’ll all be crucial again on Sunday for the tournament 5000/1 shots.
Can Workington shock lowly Leeds?
Leeds Rhinos are ripe for an upset. The 11-time Super League champions are rock-bottom of the top-flight and shipping tries for fun. They’ve got 278 points in the negative column already.
Could that let in League 1 side Workington? Leon Pryce’s men have every chance. But they’ll need to tighten up their own defence after conceding 30+ points against London Skolars and Newcastle.
Elliott Miller, Tyllar Mellor and Carl Forber are the men to keep an eye on for the hosts, although it’s the clash between brothers Perry and Brad Singleton which provides the narrative ahead of this one.
The pair will line-up on opposing sides, with Workington’s Perry hoping to get the better of Leeds and Ireland prop Brad.
Home comforts for Halifax v London?
The tightest match of round five comes from The Shay, as Halifax host Super League new boys London Broncos. The pair are no strangers to each other having met 10 times in the last four years.
Broncos have tended to dominate in recent times with four wins in their last five meetings. But Richard Marshall’s side can call upon a decent enough home record against their opponents.
Fax have won three of their last four against Broncos at The Shay, including a 26-16 win almost exactly 12 months ago. Ed Barber will be pivotal to their hopes on Sunday.
The 28-year-old second-row has been in fine form this term and bagged a hat-trick of tries against Dewsbury last month. Summer signing from Castleford Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e is also a threat.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
