View source for 2007 Challenge Cup

{{short description|Rugby league competition}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox Rugby football league challenge cup
|title               = 2007 Carnegie Challenge Cup 
|league              = 
|logo                = 
|pixels              = 
|duration            = 9 Rounds
|no_of_teams         = 
|highest_attendance  = 84,241
|lowest_attendance   = 
|avg_attendance      = 
|TV                  = {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[BBC Sport]]
|biggest_home_win    = {{leagueicon|castleford|12}} [[Castleford Tigers]] 88–10 <br>[[Castleford Lock Lane]]
|biggest_away_win    = [[Normanton (rugby league)|Normanton Knights]] 10–78 <br>{{leagueicon|widnes|12}} [[Widnes Vikings]]
|season              = 2007
|season_champs       =  [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]
|season_champ_name   = Winners
|league_leaders      = 
|league_leaders_name = 
|second_place        = {{leagueicon|catalans|16px}} [[Catalans Dragons]]
|MVP                 = {{leagueicon|st helens|16px}} [[Paul Wellens]]<br>
			{{leagueicon|st helens|16px}} [[Leon Pryce]]
|MVP_link            = Lance Todd Trophy
|top_scorer          =
|prevseason_link     = 2006 Challenge Cup
|prevseason_year     = 2006
|nextseason_link     = 2008 Challenge Cup
|nextseason_year     = 2008
}}
<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:Carnegie Challenge Cup.gif|right]] -->
The '''2007 Carnegie [[Challenge Cup]]''' began in February 2007. The Challenge Cup is the most prestigious knock-out competition in the world of [[rugby league]], featuring teams from across Europe including England, Scotland, Wales, France and Russia.

In 2007 the preliminary round was dropped, reducing the number of amateur clubs involved. Teams from the [[British_rugby_league_system#History|National League]] were given byes to round three, and teams from the [[Super League]] entered in round four. Teams from outside the UK were introduced at various stages.

[[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]] successfully defended their title after beating [[Catalans Dragons]] (who were the first French club ever to take part in the competition's final) 30 – 8 in the final at the new [[Wembley Stadium]] on 26 August.

==Round 1==
:''(week ending 4 February)''

Teams came from the [[National Conference League]], [[Rugby League Conference]], [[Student Rugby League]], [[Pennine League]], North West Counties, [[CMS Yorkshire league|Yorkshire League]], CARLA, Hull & District League and the [[British Armed Forces|Armed Forces]]. This round consisted entirely of amateur teams. [[Fife Lions]], the only Scottish club in the tournament, were eliminated.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!Tie no
!Home team
!Score
!Away team
|-
|1
|'''[[Rochdale Mayfield]]'''
|50–16
|[[Millom]]
|-
|2
|'''[[Saddleworth Rangers]]'''
|34–20
|[[Halton Simms Cross]]
|-
|3
|'''[[Thornhill Trojans]]'''
|58–18
|[[South London Storm]]
|-
|4
|'''[[Eccles & Salford]]'''
|20–2
|[[Blackbrook A.R.L.F.C.|Blackbrook]]
|-
|5
|'''[[Royal Navy Rugby League|Royal Navy]]'''
|30–28
|[[Waterhead, Greater Manchester|Waterhead]]
|-
|6
|'''[[Siddal A.R.L.F.C.|Siddal]]'''
|18–14
|[[York Acorn A.R.L.F.C.|York Acorn]]
|-
|7
|'''[[Bradford Dudley Hill]]'''
|42–4
|[[Brighouse Rangers]]
|-
|8
|[[British Army Rugby League|The Army]]
|20–28
|'''[[Leigh Miners Rangers]]'''
|-
|9
|'''[[Eastmoor Dragons]]'''
|28–6
|[[Shaw Cross]] [[Shaw Cross Sharks|Sharks]] [[Shaw Cross ARLFC|ARLFC]]
|-
|10
|'''[[East Leeds A.R.L.F.C.|East Leeds]]'''
|56–0
|[[Warrington Wizards]]
|-
|11
|[[Wath Brow Hornets]]
|22–26
|'''[[Oulton Raiders]]'''
|-
|12
|'''[[Seaton Rangers]]'''
|50–10
|[[Queens RLFC]]
|-
|13
|[[Heworth, York|Heworth]]
|10–36
|'''[[Hull Isberg]]'''
|-
|14
|'''[[Drighlington]]'''
|44–0
|[[Askam and Ireleth#Sport|Askam]]
|-
|15
|'''[[Skirlaugh A.R.L.F.C.|Skirlaugh]]'''
|74–0
|[[Milford Marlins]]
|-
|16
|'''[[Hull Dockers]]'''
|52–8
|[[Thatto Heath Crusaders]]
|-
|17
|'''[[Dewsbury Celtic]]'''
|36–20
|[[Ovenden]]
|-
|18
|[[Crosfields]]
|6–34
|'''[[West Bowling A.R.L.F.C.|West Bowling]]'''
|-
|19
|'''[[Egremont Rangers]]'''
|34–18
|[[Oldham St Annes]]
|-
|20
|[[Wigan St Patricks]]
|28–38
|'''[[Leeds Metropolitan University|Leeds Metro. University]]'''
|-
|21
|[[Ince Rose Bridge]]
|12–35
|'''[[Widnes St Maries]]'''
|-
|22
|[[Royal Air Force Rugby League|Royal Air Force]]
|0–42
|'''[[East Hull A.R.L.F.C.|East Hull]]'''
|-
|23
|'''[[West Hull ARLFC|West Hull]]'''
|38–12
|[[Castleford Panthers]]
|-
|24
|[[Hull Victoria]]
|14–44
|'''[[Castleford Lock Lane]]'''
|-
|25
|[[Stanningley]]
|20–36
|'''[[Leigh East A.R.L.F.C.|Leigh East]]'''
|-
|26
|[[Bramley Buffaloes]]
|12–18
|'''[[Wigan St Judes]]'''
|-
|27
|'''[[Normanton (Rugby League)|Normanton Knights]]'''
|46–8
|[[Fife Lions]]
|}

==Round 2==
:''(week ending 25 February)''

Russian team [[Kazan Arrows]] entered the competition. Castleford Lock Lane defeated Bradford Dudley Hill after extra time in the closest game of this round, which against consisted of amateur teams.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!Tie no
!Home team
!Score
!Away team
|-
|1
|[[Bradford Dudley Hill]]
|26–28
|'''[[Castleford Lock Lane]]'''
|-
|2
|'''[[East Hull A.R.L.F.C.|East Hull]]'''
|50–4
|[[Dewsbury Celtic]]
|-
|3
|Eccles & Salford
|40–28
|[[Egremont Rangers]]
|-
|4
|[[Leigh East A.R.L.F.C.|Leigh East]]
|10–25
|'''[[Oulton Raiders]]'''
|-
|5
|[[Leigh Miners Rangers]]
|34–18
|[[Leeds Metropolitan University|Leeds Metro. University]]
|-
|6
|[[Rochdale Mayfield]]
|50–0
|[[East Leeds A.R.L.F.C.|East Leeds]]
|-
|7
|[[Royal Navy Rugby League|Royal Navy]]
|26–28
|'''[[Normanton, West Yorkshire|Normanton]]'''
|-
|8
|'''[[Saddleworth]]'''
|21–14
|[[Siddal A.R.L.F.C.|Siddal]]
|-
|9
|'''[[Thornhill Trojans|Thornhill]]'''
|38–20
|[[Kazan Arrows]]
|-
|10
|'''[[West Hull ARLFC|West Hull]]'''
|23–16
|[[Skirlaugh A.R.L.F.C.|Skirlaugh]]
|-
|11
|Widnes St Maries
|22–6
|Hull Isberg
|-
|12
|Wigan St Judes
|22–30
|'''[[Drighlington]]'''
|}

==Round 3==
:''(week ending 11 March)''

Teams from [[RFL League 1|National League Two]], [[RFL Championship|National League One]] entered at this stage, as did three teams from France and [[RC Lokomotiv Moscow|Lokomotiv Moscow]] from Russia.

Lokomotiv's defeat ended the competition for Russian teams.  The Castleford derby was a highlight of the draw, though the professional [[Castleford Tigers]] defeated their amateur neighbours. 2005 semi-finalists Toulouse failed to win at York, though Pia's victory against Blackpool ensured that one team from the [[French Rugby League Championship]] progressed. All remaining amateur teams were eliminated.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!Tie no
!Home team
!Score
!Away team
|-
|1
|'''[[York City Knights]]'''
|54–28
|[[Toulouse Olympique]]
|-
|2
|'''[[Hunslet R.L.F.C.|Hunslet Hawks]]'''
|40–22
|[[Rochdale Mayfield]]
|-
|3
|'''[[Featherstone Rovers]]'''
|52–10
|[[Drighlington]]
|-
|4
|'''[[Batley Bulldogs]]'''
|60–6
|[[Widnes St Maries]]
|-
|5
|'''[[Whitehaven]]'''
|24–10
|[[Doncaster R.L.F.C.|Doncaster Lakers]]
|-
|6
|'''[[Dewsbury Rams]]'''
|36–34
|[[Leigh Centurions]]
|-
|7
|[[Normanton (Rugby League)|Normanton Knights]]
|10–78
|'''[[Widnes Vikings]]'''
|-
|8
|'''[[Castleford Tigers]]'''
|88–10
|[[Castleford Lock Lane]]
|-
|9
|'''[[Swinton Lions]]'''
|60–20
|[[RC Lokomotiv Moscow|Lokomotiv Moscow]]
|-
|10
|'''[[Workington Town]]'''
|18–10
|[[Oulton Raiders]]
|-
|11
|'''[[Keighley Cougars]]'''
|34–6
|[[Thornhill Trojans|Thornhill]]
|-
|12
|'''[[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]]'''
|86–12
|[[Eccles & Salford]]
|-
|13
|[[Leigh Miners Rangers]]
|18–46
|'''[[Sheffield Eagles]]'''
|-
|14
|[[West Hull ARLFC|West Hull]]
|18–70
|'''[[Barrow Raiders]]'''
|-
|15
|'''[[Rochdale Hornets]]'''
|48–6
|[[Saddleworth]]
|-
|16
|[[East Hull A.R.L.F.C.|East Hull]]
|10–26
|'''[[Oldham R.L.F.C.]]'''
|-
|17
|[[Blackpool Panthers]]
|18–42
|'''[[Pia XIII|Pia]]'''
|-
|18
|[[West Bowling A.R.L.F.C.|West Bowling]]
|8–24
|'''[[London Skolars]]'''
|-
|19
|'''[[Crusaders Rugby League|Celtic Crusaders]]'''
|50–10
|[[Eastmoor Dragons]]
|-
|20
|'''[[Newcastle Thunder|Gateshead Thunder]]'''
|38–22
|[[Limoux Grizzlies]]
|}

==Round 4==
:''(week ending 1 April)''

This round saw the teams from the  [[Super League]] enter.  The only all-Super League match saw Warrington defeat Hull KR.  Celtic Crusaders' defeat saw the final Welsh team leave the tournament.  Once again, however, all games went to form, with no sides from lower leagues defeating a team from a higher league. Pia's defeat saw the [[French rugby league championship]]'s exit from the Cup.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!Tie no
!Home team
!Score
!Away team
|-
|1
|[[Keighley Cougars]]
|10–20
|'''[[Oldham R.L.F.C.]]'''
|-
|2
|[[Dewsbury Rams]]
|28–46
|'''[[Sheffield Eagles]]'''
|-
|3
|'''[[Whitehaven R.L.F.C.|Whitehaven]]'''
|36–8
|[[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]]
|-
|4
|[[Widnes Vikings]]
|24–34
|'''[[Wigan Warriors]]'''
|-
|5
|[[Swinton Lions]]
|14–47
|'''[[Barrow Raiders]]'''
|-
|6
|[[London Skolars]]
|4–52
|'''[[Wakefield Trinity|Wakefield Trinity Wildcats]]'''
|-
|7
|'''[[Rochdale Hornets]]'''
|20–16
|[[Crusaders Rugby League|Celtic Crusaders]]
|-
|8
|'''[[Huddersfield Giants]]'''
|74–4
|[[York City Knights]]
|-
|9
|'''[[Hull F.C.]]'''
|78–0
|[[Hunslet R.L.F.C.|Hunslet Hawks]]
|-
|10
|[[Pia XIII|Pia]]
|8–64
|'''[[London Broncos|Harlequins]]'''
|-
|11
|'''[[Catalans Dragons]]'''
|70–12
|[[Featherstone Rovers]]
|-
|12
|'''[[Warrington Wolves]]'''
|38–10
|[[Hull Kingston Rovers]]
|-
|13
|'''[[Bradford Bulls]]'''
|24–16
|[[Castleford Tigers]]
|-
|14
|'''[[Leeds Rhinos]]'''
|72–10
|[[Workington Town]]
|-
|15
|'''[[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]'''
|78–14
|[[Batley Bulldogs]]
|-
|16
|[[Newcastle Thunder|Gateshead Thunder]]
|4–64
|'''[[Salford Red Devils|Salford City Reds]]'''
|}

==Round 5==
:''(week ending 13 May)''

No new teams enter at this stage with all matches scheduled to be played over 12 and 13 May.  The remaining teams for the 5th round are made up with eleven teams from [[Super League]], three from [[RFL Championship|National League One]] and two from [[RFL Championship|National League Two]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!Tie no
!Home team
!Score
!Away team
|-
|1
|[[Whitehaven R.L.F.C.|Whitehaven]]
|14–24
|'''[[Catalans Dragons]]'''
|-
|2
|'''[[Warrington Wolves]]'''
|48–16
|[[Barrow Raiders]]
|-
|3
|[[Leeds Rhinos]]
|18–22
|'''[[Wigan Warriors]]'''
|-
|4
|'''[[Hull F.C.]]'''
|44–6
|[[Sheffield Eagles]]
|-
|5
|[[Salford Red Devils|Salford City Reds]]
|10–36
|'''[[Huddersfield Giants]]'''
|-
|6
|'''[[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]'''
|70–10
|[[Rochdale Hornets]]
|-
|7
|[[Oldham R.L.F.C.]]
|6–66
|'''[[London Broncos|Harlequins]]'''
|-
|8
|[[Wakefield Trinity|Wakefield Trinity Wildcats]]
|4–14
|'''[[Bradford Bulls]]'''
|}

==Quarter-finals==
{{rugbyleaguebox |
bg = #eeeeee |
date = 8 June 2007 |
team1 = [[Image:Wigancolours.svg|16px]] [[Wigan Warriors]] |
score = 25–6 |
report = [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/6721815.stm (Report)] |
team2 = [[Image:Quinscolours.svg|16px]] [[London Broncos|Harlequins]] |
points1 = '''Try:''' [[Chris Ashton|Ashton]]<br>[[Pat Richards|Richards]]<br>[[Mark Calderwood|Calderwood]]<br>[[Sean O'Loughlin|O'Loughlin]]<br>'''Goal:''' [[Pat Richards|Richards]] (4)<br>'''Drop:''' [[Trent Barrett|Barrett]] |
points2 = '''Try:''' [[Steve Bannister|Bannister]], '''Goal:''' [[Paul Sykes (rugby league)|Sykes]] |
stadium = [[JJB Stadium]], [[Wigan]] |
attendance = 10,835 |
referee= Ben Thaler }}
----
{{rugbyleaguebox |
bg = #eeeeee |
date = 9 June 2007 |
team1 = [[Image:Saintscolours.svg|16px]] [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]] |
score = 25–14 |
report = [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/6722527.stm (Report)] |
team2 = [[Image:Wolvescolours.svg|16px]] [[Warrington Wolves]] |
points1 = '''Try:''' [[Lee Gilmour|Gilmour]] (2) 1', 60'<br>[[Willie Talau|Talau]] 42'<br>[[Ade Gardner|Gardner]] 50'<br>[[James Roby|Roby]] 77'<br>'''Goal:''' [[Paul Wellens|Wellens]] (2)<br>'''Drop:''' [[Sean Long|Long]] 72' |
points2 = '''Try:''' [[Kevin Penny|Penny]] 28'<br>[[Henry Fa'afili|Fa'afili]] 31'<br>'''Goal:''' [[Lee Briers|Briers]] (3) |
stadium = [[Knowsley Road]], [[St Helens, Merseyside|St. Helens]] |
attendance = 8,503 |
referee= Richard Silverwood }}
----
{{rugbyleaguebox |
bg = #eeeeee |
date = 10 June 2007 |
team1 = [[Image:Bullscolours.svg|16px]] [[Bradford Bulls]] |
score = 52–20 |
report = [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/6722557.stm (Report)] |
team2 = [[Image:Giantscolours.svg|16px]] [[Huddersfield Giants]] |
points1 = '''Try:''' [[Ben Harris (rugby league)|B. Harris]] (2)<br>[[David Solomona|Solomona]]<br>[[Ian Henderson (rugby league footballer)|Ian Henderson]]<br>[[Marcus St Hilaire|St Hilaire]]<br>[[Sam Burgess|Burgess]]<br>[[Tame Tupou|Tupou]] (2)<br>[[Terry Newton|Newton]]<br>'''Goal:''' [[Paul Deacon|Deacon]] (8) |
points2 = '''Try:''' [[Chris Nero|Nero]]<br>[[Jamahl Lolesi|Lolesi]]<br>[[Robbie Paul|Paul]]<br>[[Ryan Hudson|Hudson]]<br>'''Goal:''' [[Brad Drew|Drew]] (2) |
stadium = [[Odsal Stadium|Grattan Stadium]], [[Bradford]] |
attendance = 7,811 |
referee= Phil Bentham }}
----
{{rugbyleaguebox |
bg = #eeeeee |
date = 10 June 2007 |
team1 = [[Image:Hullcolours.svg|16px]] [[Hull F.C.]] |
score = 23–26 |
report = [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/challenge_cup/5040102.stm (Report)] |
team2 = [[Image:Catalanscolours.svg|16px]] [[Catalans Dragons]] |
points1 = '''Try:''' [[Lee Briscoe|Briscoe]]<br>[[Paul King (Rugby league footballer)|King]]<br>[[Sid Domic|Domic]]<br>'''Goal:''' [[Danny Tickle|Tickle]] (5)<br>'''Drop:''' [[Richard Horne|Horne]] |
points2 = '''Try:''' [[Adam Mogg|Mogg]] (2)<br>[[John Wilson (Australian rugby league)|Wilson]]<br>[[Clint Greenshields|Greenshields]]<br>'''Goal:''' [[Thomas Bosc|Bosc]] (4)<br>'''Drop:''' [[Jérôme Guisset|Guisset]]<br>[[Thomas Bosc|Bosc]] |
stadium = [[KC Stadium]], [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]] |
attendance = 7,441 |
referee= Ashley Klein }}

==Semi-finals==
{{rugbyleaguebox |
bg = #eeeeee |
date = 28 July 2007 |
team1 = [[Image:Bullscolours.svg|16px]] [[Bradford Bulls]] |
score = 14–35 |
report = [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6912382.stm (Report)] |
team2 = [[Image:Saintscolours.svg|16px]] [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]] |
points1 = '''Try:''' [[James Evans (rugby league footballer)|Evans]] 16' m<br>[[Tame Tupou|Tupou]] 55' m<br>[[Joe Vagana|Vagana]] 67' c<br>'''Goal:''' [[Paul Deacon|Deacon]]|
points2 = '''Try:''' [[Willie Talau|Talau]] 4' c<br>[[Francis Meli|Meli]] 21' m<br>[[Matthew Gidley|Gidley]] 34' c<br>[[Paul Clough|Clough]] 58' c<br>[[Leon Pryce|Pryce]] 69' c<br>[[Mike Bennett (rugby league)|Bennett]] 75' c<br>'''Goal:''' [[Sean Long|Long]] (4)<br>[[Paul Wellens|Wellens]]<br>'''Drop:''' [[Sean Long|Long]] 40'|
stadium = [[Galpharm Stadium]], [[Huddersfield]] |
attendance =  14,316|
referee= Richard Silverwood }}
----
{{rugbyleaguebox |
bg = #eeeeee |
date = 29 July 2007 |
team1 = [[Image:Wigancolours.svg|16px]] [[Wigan Warriors]] |
score = 24–37 |
report = [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6912181.stm (Report)] |
team2 = [[Image:Catalanscolours.svg|16px]] [[Catalans Dragons]] |
points1 = '''Try:''' [[Thomas Leuluai|Leuluai]] 35' c<br>[[Mickey Higham|Higham]] 54' c<br>[[Darrell Goulding|Goulding]] 64' c<br>[[Mark Calderwood|Calderwood]] 68' c<br>'''Goal:''' [[Pat Richards|Richards]] (4)<br>'''Drop:''' |
points2 = '''Try:''' [[Casey McGuire|McGuire]] (2) 4' c, 8' c<br>[[Adam Mogg|Mogg]] 12' c<br>[[Vincent Duport|Duport]] (2) 17' m, 49' c<br>[[Jason Croker|Croker]] 72' c<br>'''Goal:''' [[Stacey Jones|Jones]] (6)<br>'''Drop:''' [[Stacey Jones|Jones]] 52'|
stadium = [[Halliwell Jones Stadium]], [[Warrington]] |
attendance =  10,218|
referee= Steve Ganson }}

==Final==

[[File:DragonsWembley2007.JPG|thumb|Pre-match at the 2007 Challenge Cup Final]]

{{main|2007 Challenge Cup Final}}

{{rugbyleaguebox |
bg = #eeeeee |
date = 25 August 2007 |
team1 = [[Image:Saintscolours.svg|16px]] [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]] |
score = 30–8 |
report = [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6962139.stm (Report)] |
team2 = [[Image:Catalanscolours.svg|16px]] [[Catalans Dragons]] |
points1 = '''Tries:''' [[James Roby|Roby]] 33'<br>[[Ade Gardner|Gardner]] (2) 40' and 78'<br>[[Paul Wellens|Wellens]] 46'<br>[[Paul Clough|Clough]] 50'<br>'''Goals:''' [[Sean Long|Long]] (5)|
points2 = '''Tries:''' [[Younes Khattabi|Khattabi]] 35'<br>[[Justin Murphy (rugby league footballer)|Murphy]] 56'|
stadium = [[Wembley Stadium]], London |
attendance =  84,241|
referee= [[Ashley Klein]] }}

==UK Broadcasting rights==
The tournament was screened in the United Kingdom by the [[BBC]].

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Round
! BBC live match
|-
| Round 4
| 
|-
| Round 5
| 
|-
| Quarter-finals
| 
|-
| Semi-finals
| [[Bradford Bulls]] v [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]<br />[[Wigan Warriors]] v [[Catalans Dragons]]
|-
| Final
| [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]] v [[Catalans Dragons]]
|}

==External links==
*[http://therfl.co.uk/ Rugby Football League]

{{St. Helens RLFC - 2007 Challenge Cup Final Winners}}
{{Challenge Cup}}
{{St Helens RLFC}}
{{2007 in rugby league}}

[[Category:Challenge Cup]]
[[Category:St Helens R.F.C.]]
[[Category:2007 in Welsh rugby league|Challenge Cup]]
[[Category:2007 in British sport|Challenge Cup]]
[[Category:2007 in English rugby league]]
[[Category:2007 in French rugby league]]
[[Category:2007 in Scottish sport]]
[[Category:2007 in Russian sport]]