Dewsbury v York City Knights: Rams looking to repeat last season’s Challenge Cup heroics

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Dale Ferguson's men entertain York City Knights [2] in the third round of the Challenge Cup at FLAIR Stadium on Sunday, February 11 (kick off 2pm), where they will be searching for a much-needed victory. Defeats in the group stage of the 1895 Cup against Keighley Cougars and Bradford Bulls [3] to kick start 2024 means the Challenge Cup is now the only source of competitive games for the Rams until their first Championship fixture, against Liam Finn's Halifax Panthers [4], on Sunday, March 17. Under Finn, Dewsbury [5] had a memorable run in last season's Challenge Cup, where they entered at the second round stage with the other League 1 teams and convincingly beat amateur outfit Ashton Bears 38-8.

Dewsbury Rams lost 40-4 to Bradford Bulls in their 1895 Cup group stage clash at the FLAIR Stadium. (Photo credit: Thomas Fynn)

They then got past Rochdale Hornets 38-18 to set up an enticing fourth round clash with Widnes of the Championship.

Backed by a strong crowd, the Rams put on a superb display to run out 32-12 winners against John Kear's men thanks to tries from Lewis Carr, Ollie Greensmith and Ronan Dixon, as well as a double from the exceptional Reiss Butterworth, who got a deserved move to Hull KR, and the Super League, at the end of the season. This meant Dewsbury were one victory away from the 1895 Cup semi-finals and 160 minutes away from a return to Wembley for a first major final since 1929. But, despite giving them a mighty scare, the Rams were beaten 36-16 by London Broncos [6], who would go on to secure a place in Super League through the Championship play-offs.

Dewsbury Rams lost 40-4 to Bradford Bulls in their 1895 Cup group stage clash at the FLAIR Stadium. (Photo credit: Thomas Fynn).

London's journey in the Challenge Cup, however, was halted at the very next stage by the Rams' opponents this Sunday, York.