The Powergen Challenge Cup is the most prestigious knock-out competition in the world of Rugby League. It features teams from across Europe including England, Scotland, Wales, France and Russia. In 2006 the competition started in January with the preliminary round where the Gloucestershire Warriors from the Rugby League Conference surprised an established Pennine League team in Illingworth. The final was scheduled to be played at the new Wembley Stadium but in March 2006 it became apparent that the stadium would not be ready for the final on August 26 so it was switched to Twickenham. In the final St Helens proved too strong for the Huddersfield Giants, winning by 42 points to 12. It was Huddersfield's first final since 1953, when they also faced St Helens. [edit] Round 1 - (week ending 5th February)
Sees the introduction of the major amateur clubs from the National Conference League and the teams from National League 3 [edit] Round 2 - (week ending 19th February)
[edit] Round 3 - (week ending 12th March)
Round 3 sees the introduction of the National League 1 and 2 teams and teams from France and Russia. Amateurs Thornhill Trojans provided the first surprise result by beating national 2 team Workington Town. Late season snow caused a number of postponements on the Sunday. [edit] Round 4 - (week ending 2nd April)
Round 4 sees the introduction of the Super League teams. Some matches are now televised live by the BBC. In this round the matches chosen for transmission were at Bradford and Wakefield. [edit] Round 5 - (week ending 21st May)
No new teams enter at this stage. In this round the matches chosen for transmission were at St Helens and Widnes. [edit] Quarter-finals - (week ending 4th June)
In this round the matches chosen for transmission were at Hull KR and Leeds. Hull KR pulled off a major surprise when they beat Superleague team Warrington Wolves. | June 4, 2006 |  Leeds Rhinos | 36–18 |  Harlequins | Headingley, Leeds
Referee: Karl Kirkpatrick | | Danny Williams (12), Scott Donald (8), Kevin Sinfield (8), Danny McGuire (4), Willie Poching (4) | (Report) | Luke Dorn (4), Tyrone Smith (4), Pat Weisner (4), Michael Worrincy (4), Rob Purdham (2) |
| June 4, 2006 |  Hull Kingston Rovers | 40–36 |  Warrington Wolves | Craven Park, Hull
Referee: Steve Ganson | | Byron Ford (12), Gareth Morton (12), Makali Aizue (4), Dwayne Barker (4), Ben Cockayne (4), Jon Goddard (4) | (Report) | Chris Bridge (8), Henry Fa'afili (8), Logan Swann (8), Martin Gleeson (4), Stuart Reardon (4), Michael Sullivan (4) |
| June 3, 2006 |  St Helens RLFC | 56–10 |  Catalans Dragons | Knowsley Road, St Helens
Referee: Richard Silverwood | | Ade Gardner (12), Paul Anderson (8), Vinnie Anderson (4), Sean Long (4), Jamie Lyon (4), Leon Pryce (4), Jon Wilkin (4) | (Report) | Stacey Jones (4), Justin Murphy (4), Laurent Frayssinous (2) | [edit] Semi-finals - (week ending 30th July)
Unlike earlier rounds, matches from now on will be played on neutral grounds. Huddersfield have the chance to win the Cup for the first time in 1953 when they beat this year's final opponents St Helens.
The final was originally scheduled to be played at Wembley Stadium though because of the construction delay was alternatively held at Twickenham Stadium, London, attracting a large attendance. | August 26, 2006 | St Helens RLFC | 42–12 |  Huddersfield Giants | Twickenham Stadium, London
Attendance: 65,187
Referee: Richard Silverwood | | Jamie Lyon (18), Jon Wilkin (8), Jason Cayless (4), Maurie Fa'asavalu (4), Sean Long (4), Willie Talau (4) | (Report) | Martin Aspinwall (4), Michael De Vere (4), Robbie Paul (4) | [edit] External links |
