THE town of Warrington has three teams still alive in rugby league's Carnegie Challenge Cup after Bank Quay Bulls and Warrington Wizards reached the third round on Saturday.
With Warrington Wolves set to enter the competition in the fourth round, Bank Quay and Wizards will hoping for a good third-round draw tonight, Thursday, to give them a chance of progressing to face Wolves or another Super League side.
But, with both clubs unseeded in tonight's draw, they have already guaranteed themselves exciting matches against National League opposition on the weekend of March 8 and 9 after impressive victories against National Conference League clubs in the second round.
Bank Quay Bulls 29 Millom 0.
BANK Quay producing one of the greatest performances in their history to upset National Conference League Division Two leaders Millom.
Bulls, who this year are competing in the Challenge Cup for only the second time after gaining entry with victory in the Lancashire Cup Final, did not concede a single point against favoured opposition at Longshaw Street.
The North West Counties Premier Division table-toppers went into the match having won 18 of their 19 matches this season and went ahead in the sixth minute as John Braddish sent Nick Braide over, with Anthony Braide converting.
Ryan Fieldhouse then touched down a converted try before his break led to a second try for Nick Braide.
Bank Quay led 16-0 at half time and extended their lead after the interval with a drop goal from Anthony Braide and a try from John Braddish.
Phil Braddish then put Fieldhouse clear to round off the scoring for Bank Quay, who host reigning champions Halton Simms Cross in the Premier Division on Saturday at 2.30pm.
Warrington Wizards 26 Stanningley 10.
WIZARDS joint boss Chris Mellor hailed his team's unbelievable performance' after they overcame Jamie Jones-Buchanan's Stanningley side at Wilderspool to reach the third round.
National Conference League Division Two promotion challengers Stanningley, who are coached by Leeds and Great Britain second rower Jones-Buchanan, had won 10 of their last 11 games but fell behind when Stuart Pirrie's run allowed Danny Shaw to score for Wizards.
Stanningley replied but Mellor converted after his pass had allowed Shaw to race 60 metres and put Wizards back in front.
Another Stanningley try made it 10-10 at half time but man of the match Jono Smith scored a converted try after the interval for Wizards, who then surged clear with a hat-trick try from the impressive Shaw and a second touchdown for Smith.
Wizards will now face professional opposition for the first time in their four-year history and Mellor said: "That was an unbelievable performance from us.
"Our attack was clinical, taking the chances when they arose, but I think it was our defence that won us the game. It was a very special afternoon."
Fellow joint coach Matt Wilson, who missed the game through suspension, said: "I was more nervous watching than I ever have been when I'm on the field, but that was a great all-round team performance from one to 17.
"We have formed a great team spirit in such a short space of time and that is showing on the field.
"We will knuckle down in training once again over the next two weeks and get ourselves ready for the next round."
Wizards: David Yii; Paul Wilson, Danny Shaw, Ian Stephenson, Stuart Pirrie; Chris Mellor, Warren Ayres; Scott Davidson, Steven Smythe, Matt Clarke, Jono Smith, Matt Taylor, Anthony Beckett. Subs: Simon McEvoy, Mark Robinson, Gary Hewitt, John Molphy.
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