WATERHEAD WARRIORS booked a second-round home tie with Rochdale Hornets with a stunning 22-14 victory at Siddal.
The hosts, who retained the National Conference League’s League Leaders’ Trophy last season and were Grand Final runners-up to West Hull, completed the double over Waterhead in 2025.
It was a different story, however, in fog-bound Halifax.
Siddal enjoyed a bright start when Fred Walker crossed, Harvey Williams improving, only for the Warriors, who finished fourth in the NCL last season, to level through Callum Cameron, Jenson Hamilton adding the extras.
Waterhead then nosed in front with a Max Hobin touchdown and, following a flurry of yellow cards (the Warriors’ Hamilton and Cameron spending ten minutes on the sidelines, together with Siddal’s Henry Turner) the visitors went in at the break 16-6 ahead, thanks to a Luke Barbour try which Hobin goaled.
The lead was extended to 22-6 shortly after the restart, when Cameron Robinson charged in for Waterhead and Hamilton added his second conversion.
The 16-point cushion was needed, Siddal roaring back with another score by Walker as the hour approached and, six minutes from time, a Turner try.
Neither, however, was converted and the Warriors duly protected their eight-point lead with superb defence, despite man of the match Gareth Owen being sin-binned for a tip-tackle.
Second round:
Saturday 24th January
Sheffield Eagles v Whitehaven 14:30
Hammersmith Hills Hoists v Salford 18:00
Sunday 25th January
Thatto Heath Crusaders v Widnes Vikings 13:00
Batley Bulldogs v Hunslet ARLFC 14:00
Blackbrook v Workington Town 14:00
London Broncos v Wests Warriors 14:00 (at Richmond Athletic Ground)
North Wales Crusaders v Bedford Tigers 14:30
Doncaster v Newcastle Thunder 15:00
Mirfield Spartans v Goole Vikings 15:00 (at Victoria Pleasure Grounds, Goole)
Oldham v Orrell St James 15:00
Midlands Hurricanes v Aberavon Fighting Irish 17:00
Dewsbury Rams v West Hull TBC
Halifax Panthers v London Chargers TBC
Heworth v Keighley Cougars TBC
Ince Rose Bridge v Swinton Lions TBC
Stanningley v Hunslet TBC
Waterhead Warriors v Rochdale Hornets TBC
Wigan St Judes v Barrow Raiders TBC