Latest news with #BetfredChallengeCup
The Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- The Independent
James Batchelor hopes to follow in brother Joe's footsteps and win Challenge Cup
James Batchelor has plenty of incentive to lift the Betfred Challenge Cup with Hull KR at Wembley on Saturday and seize the upper hand in a lifelong case of sibling rivalry. While major silverware still eludes the 27-year-old Rovers second rower, older brother Joe won the prestigious trophy with St Helens in 2021 and also has two Grand Final triumphs to his name. James credits his riotous introduction to rugby league to the impact of his brother – his senior by three years – and is determined to emulate him when the Robins get another chance to end their 40-year trophyless streak against Warrington. Batchelor told the PA news agency: 'I definitely want what my brother's got. He's already got one and I want one to match it, and although there's always been a rivalry between us I'm sure he wants me to get one because he knows how much it means to me.' Batchelor admits the sibling rivalry between the pair was not always so healthy when they were growing up in West Yorkshire, with the younger brother eager to prove himself in games against much bigger and more physical friends. 'It could get pretty fierce at times,' recalled Batchelor. 'We were at each other 24-7, kicking lumps out of each other in the garden, and we drove our mum up the wall. 'But it definitely drove us both on, and I got used to playing with him and his mates who were a lot older than me. When they're all going through growth spurts and I'm not growing, it definitely toughens you up because you have to get on with it and you get no sympathy at that age.' Since joining Rovers in 2023, Batchelor has been integral to the club's rise to the top of the Super League table, but was also part of the setbacks of losing the 2023 Challenge Cup final in heartbreaking fashion to Leigh, and last year's Grand Final against Wigan at Old Trafford. Batchelor believes those tough losses have equipped his club to kick on and put an end to a much-publicised streak without silverware, which stretches back to Rovers' 1985 title win in what was then the Slalom Lager League. 'There's a lot of factors that add up, including the excitement of being back at Wembley for the second time in three years, but also having that motivation to get rid of the hurt of those two losses and go one better this time,' he added. 'We said after the 2023 final that we could either fade away or learn from it and kick on, and that's what we did. Every setback we've had at this club in recent years, we've been able to work on it and come back stronger. 'The 40-year thing is also a big deal, the taunting our supporters get about it, many of whom have been with us a long time and have been through it. 'All these things fuel the fire towards Saturday, and we definitely want to go out and win the trophy for our fans.'
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Matt Dufty bans mum from Warrington cup final because she has never seen him win
Dufty's dad Glenn is planning to jet in from Australia in the hope of watching his son lift major silverware for the first time, but mum Leonie is under strict instructions to stay at home. 'My mum hasn't seen me win yet,' laughed Dufty. 'She's come over and watched me seven times and we've lost all seven. So she's not allowed to come this week.' Matt Dufty's dad is jetting in for this weekend's Betfred Challenge Cup final (Martin Rickett/PA) The 29-year-old Dufty, who joined the Wolves midway through the 2022 season, has emerged as an increasingly important component in a side whose spine has been ravaged by injuries during this campaign. He was coached by his dad from an early age and earned rave reviews in the NRL but is still missing the major trophy that he believes will make all his family's early sacrifices worthwhile. 'My dad's coming over for the game because he didn't get the opportunity to come and watch me play last year,' added Dufty. Warrington came up short in last year's final loss to Wigan (Bradley Collyer/PA) 'He's been a big part of my rugby league journey and he came out to watch me play in Las Vegas earlier this year, but he hasn't seen me lift anything professionally. 'So if I could get some silverware whilst he's watching I think it would be special for me and for our family.' Despite scoring his side's opening try, Dufty endured a final to forget last season when he was sin-binned after just five minutes and Warrington never fully recovered as they slid to an 18-8 defeat to Wigan. But he has continued to emerge as one of Super League's star playmakers this season, assuming extra responsibility during long injury lay-offs for the likes of captain George Williams and hooker Danny Walker. 'It's been a bit of a different year and while I probably haven't had the same impact on the team, I feel like I've grown into a different role,' added Dufty. 'For me it's been about learning and growing as a player and doing what's best for the team. I've learned a lot about myself as a player and a leader.' Having started in the game at the age of four after he was rejected for a soccer camp, Dufty grew up as a keen scholar of the game on both sides of the world, and can think of few better scenarios than capping his career with a Challenge Cup winners' medal. Matt Dufty is desperate for a first taste of major silverware (Martin Rickett/PA) 'It was always something we watched back home,' added Dufty. 'Then when you come over you realise how important the Challenge Cup is to English culture and how much prestige is behind it. 'Last year I got to experience it first-hand and it wasn't the way we wanted it, but we've got another chance two years in a row and the experience we gained from 2024 is going to be massive for us.'
Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Warrington captain George Williams declares himself fit for Challenge Cup final
Warrington captain George Williams has declared himself fit for Saturday's Betfred Challenge Cup final against Hull KR at Wembley. The 30-year-old has been on a fast-track to recovery since he suffered an ankle injury in early April that required surgery. With Matty Ashton and Danny Walker already sidelined, the return of Williams will be a huge boost to Warrington's hopes of erasing the memory of last year's final loss to Wigan. Williams said: 'When you get the injury it's an eight to 10 week lay-off and it'll be seven weeks and two days post-op. So it's really not miles faster. 'But it's been easy for me because I've done everything I can, because the goal was always to play at Wembley. 'I could have played last week but it was a bit of a risk and we were always chasing this week.' Meanwhile Rovers also hope for welcome news on the injury front with hooker Michael McIlorum set to be named in Willie Peters' final squad. Like Williams, McIlorum also required surgery on a bicep injury he sustained in April, and it was initially feared he would be ruled out for three months. But the 37-year-old has made good progress in training and Peters is cautiously optimistic that he can play some part in the Robins' bid to end their 40-year trophy drought. Peters said: 'He'll be named, but the odds of him playing, I'm not sure yet. He's got to get through some things. 'The thing with Mickey is he's built differently. It should still be a while really, so that's why we've got to look at the pros and cons and weigh it all up. 'There's obviously risk and a lot of factors are involved. Mickey will make a decision, and I'll take his word if he can take to the field.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Warrington captain George Williams declares himself fit for Challenge Cup final
Warrington captain George Williams has declared himself fit for Saturday's Betfred Challenge Cup final against Hull KR at Wembley. The 30-year-old has been on a fast-track to recovery since he suffered an ankle injury in early April that required surgery. Advertisement With Matty Ashton and Danny Walker already sidelined, the return of Williams will be a huge boost to Warrington's hopes of erasing the memory of last year's final loss to Wigan. Williams said: 'When you get the injury it's an eight to 10 week lay-off and it'll be seven weeks and two days post-op. So it's really not miles faster. Hull KR hope to have Michael McIlorum (pictured) in Willie Peters' squad for the Challenge Cup final (Martin Rickett/PA). 'But it's been easy for me because I've done everything I can, because the goal was always to play at Wembley. 'I could have played last week but it was a bit of a risk and we were always chasing this week.' Meanwhile Rovers also hope for welcome news on the injury front with hooker Michael McIlorum set to be named in Willie Peters' final squad. Advertisement Like Williams, McIlorum also required surgery on a bicep injury he sustained in April, and it was initially feared he would be ruled out for three months. But the 37-year-old has made good progress in training and Peters is cautiously optimistic that he can play some part in the Robins' bid to end their 40-year trophy drought. Peters said: 'He'll be named, but the odds of him playing, I'm not sure yet. He's got to get through some things. 'The thing with Mickey is he's built differently. It should still be a while really, so that's why we've got to look at the pros and cons and weigh it all up. 'There's obviously risk and a lot of factors are involved. Mickey will make a decision, and I'll take his word if he can take to the field.'
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Warrington defeat Leigh to reach Wembley
Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final Warrington (15) 21 Tries: Tai, Vaughan, King Goals: Sneyd 4 Drop-goal: Sneyd Leigh (4) 14 Tries: Ipape, Niu 2 Goal: O'Brien Warrington Wolves secured a second consecutive Challenge Cup final appearance with victory over local rivals Leigh Leopards in a pulsating match at the Totally Wicked Stadium. Edwin Ipape put Leigh ahead after just 49 seconds but tries from Rodrick Tai, Paul Vaughan and Toby King, and the impeccable kicking of Marc Sneyd put Sam Burgess' side in control. Leigh, who won the 2023 final, refused to give up as Tesi Niu went over twice in the second half, but Sneyd's shrewd drop-goal with the last action of the first half kept daylight between the sides, in sweltering conditions. Wire, who lost to all-conquering Wigan Warriors at Wembley last year, will face Hull Kingston Rovers in the final on 7 June. Leigh were the form side going into the game after five straight wins had taken them to third in Super League, while Warrington had lost three of their previous four and have struggled since losing playmaker George Williams to injury. They were boosted by the return of Sneyd after he fractured an eye socket in April, but he was off to a poor start as his attempted kick in the Wolves' first set of six was charged down by Ipape, who picked up and ran half the length of the field to finish. Leigh sought to press home their advantage but Dufty came up with a marvellous tackle and ball steal, over the line, on Darnell McIntosh as he caught a Lachlan Lam chip to the corner. That invigorated Warrington after their early setback and when they finally cut loose down the right, Josh Thewlis, making his 100th club appearance, picked up a bouncing pass and when Josh Charnley attempted to intercept his pass to Tai, the ball looped into the air and Tai athletically grabbed it to touch down. The excellent Paul Vaughan had begun that move with a sharp off-load, and he grabbed the second try for himself, powering over from dummy half despite the presence of three tacklers. Sneyd converted both tries, added a penalty, and then slotted over the telling drop-goal at the end of the half to make up for his early error. Leigh began the second half with serious intent, but Thewlis produced a remarkable tackle to bring Ipape up inches short of the line before Niu finished off Gareth O'Brien's break to blow the game open once more. King seemed to have sealed the win as he scored from Dufty's lofted pass, with Sneyd adding another classy conversion from wide on the left, but again Leigh hit back as Niu grabbed his second try. Warrington held firm to spark scenes of celebration as they head to Wembley seeking their first Challenge Cup triumph since 2019. Warrington: Dufty; Josh Thewlis, Tai, King, Ashton; Ratchford, Sneyd; Yates, Powell, Vaughan, Holroyd, Fitzgibbon, Currie. Interchanges: Philbin, Crowther, Lindop, Harrison. Leigh: Armstrong; McIntosh, Niu, Hanley, Charnley; O'Brien, Lam; Trout, Ipape, Mulhern, O'Neill, Hughes, Liu. Interchanges: Hodgson, McNamara, Davis, Ofahengaue. Referee: Liam Moore.
