The 2011 Challenge Cup (also known as the Carnegie Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 110th staging of the most competitive European rugby league tournament at club level and was open to teams from England, Wales, Scotland, France and Russia. It began its preliminary stages in January 2011. The Challenge Cup is Warrington Wolves were the reigning champions, but lost 24 - 44 at home to the Wigan Warriors in the quarter-finals, who went on to win the title after beating Leeds Rhinos 28 - 18 in the final. Rugby Football League chief executive Nigel Wood reported that in 2011 Challenge Cup viewing figures on BBC Television had increased by 21.3 per cent compared to 2010 and are 26.8 per cent higher than they were in 2009.[1]

2011 Carnegie Challenge Cup
Duration9 Rounds
Highest attendance78,482
Broadcast partnersUnited Kingdom BBC Sport
Winners Wigan Warriors
Runners-up Leeds Rhinos
Biggest home win Warrington Wolves 112-0
Swinton Lions
Biggest away winNorthumbria University 0-132
York City Knights
Lance Todd Trophy Jeff Lima

Preliminary round

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The draws for the Preliminary and First Round was made on 7 December 2010. Ties were played on 8–10 January with some ties played on 15–16 January.[2]

Pool A

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Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Oulton Raiders 23–22 Normanton Knights 15 January 2011 13:30 Raider Park D Sharpe
Ovendon 26–28 Rochdale Mayfield 8 January 2011 13:30 Four Fields T Mahar
Millom 8–12 Egremont Rangers 8 January 2011 13:30 Coronation Field A Smith
Eccles and Salford Juniors 26–6 Castleford Panthers 8 January 2011 13:30 Moat Hall R Cowling
Yorkshire Cup winners 0–0 Drighlington Match cancelled B Robinson
Shaw Cross Sharks ARLFC 20–21 Stanley Rangers 8 January 2011 13:30 Paul Hinchliffe Memorial C Kendall
Bank Quay Bulls 26–18 Seaton Rangers 15 January 2011 13:30 Dallam Playing Fields C Kendall

Pool B

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Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
St Albans Centurions 22–32 British Police 9 January 2011 14:00 Pennine Way S Davis 50
Loughborough University 38–0 Featherstone Lions 16 January 2011 13:30 Loughborough University J Bloem
Northampton Demons 46–10 Gloucester University 16 January 2011 13:30 Rushmills P Marklove

Round 1

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First Round played weekend of 22 January with some ties played weekend of 29 January and 5 February. The match between Kells and Bradford Dudley Hill took place on 12 February.

Pool A

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Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
East Leeds 36–10 Crosfields 22 January 2011 13:30 Richmond Hill G Evans
East Hull 24–10 Saddleworth Rangers 22 January 2011 13:30 Rosmead Sports Centre B Robinson
Leigh East 58–6 Heworth 22 January 2011 13:30 Ledgard Street A Smith
Fryston Warriors 30–4 Stanningley 22 January 2011 13:30 Askham Road D Sharpe
Eccles and Salford Juniors 6–30 Wigan St Patricks 29 January 2011 13:30 Moat Hall P Marklove 85
Wigan St Judes 22–20 West Bowling 29 January 2011 13:30 Parsons Meadow J Cobb
Skirlaugh Bulls 16–14 Oulton Raiders 22 January 2011 13:30 Eastside Sports Centre T Crashley
Wath Brow Hornets 18–0 Norland Sharks 30 January 2011 13:30 Cleator D Sharp
Rochdale Mayfield 38–14 Bank Quay Bulls 22 January 2011 13:30 Mayfield Sports Centre T Mahar
Drighlington 12–13 Hunslet Warriors 22 January 2011 13:30 Wakefield Road A Gill
York Acorn 24–35 Milford Marlins 5 February 2011 13:30 Thanet Road A Sweet
Stanley Rangers 24–10 Widnes St Maries 29 January 2011 13:30 Stanley Sports and Social Club M Woodhead
Elland 16–20 Thatto Heath Crusaders 22 January 2011 13:30 Greetland Community Centre C Brathwaite
Kells 14–22 Bradford Dudley Hill 12 February 2011 13:30 Ravenhill Lane S Mikalauskas
Myton Warriors 34–0 Ince Rose Bridge 22 January 2011 13:30 Marist Sporting Club M Craven
Siddal 58–18 Eastmoor Dragons 30 January 2011 13:30 Siddal Sports Centre C Kendall
Oldham St Annes 16–30 Hull Dockers 22 January 2011 13:30 Higginshaw Road L Fellows
Castleford Lock Lane 38–4 Halton Sims Cross 30 January 2011 13:30 Lock Lane Sports Centre R Jones
Leigh Miners Rangers 28–10 West Hull 22 January 2011 13:30 Twist Lane N Aspey
Waterhead 24–28 Egremont Rangers 30 January 2011 13:30 Waterhead Park C Hancock

Pool B

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Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Loughborough University 18–10 Kippax Knights 22 January 2011 13:30 Loughborough University P Stockman
Northampton Demons 12–26 Leeds Met University 22 January 2011 13:30 Rushmills S Ansell
Nottingham Outlaws 30–32 RAF 22 January 2011 13:30 Highfields R Webb
Warrington Wizards 44–18 Carluke Tigers 23 January 2011 13:30 Wilderspool Stadium S Barrie
University of Central Lancashire 12–20 Northumbria University 22 January 2011 13:30 University of Central Lancashire S Mikalauskas
Edge Hill University 28–16 Hull University 2 February 2011 19:30 Edge Hill University J Bloem
Royal Navy 28–14 British Police 22 January 2011 13:30 Torpoint M Hague
Valley Cougars 24–30 The Army 23 January 2011 13:30 The Park Nelson M Woodhead

Round 2

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The draw for the Second Round was made on 24 January. Ties played weekend of 5 February with some ties played weekend of 12 February. The match between Fryston Warriors and Bradford Dudley Hill took place on 19 February.

Pool A

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Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
East Leeds 4–64 Hull Dockers 5 February 2011 13:30 Richmond Hill T Crashley
Castleford Lock Lane 18–16 Stanley Rangers 5 February 2011 13:30 Lock Lane Sports Centre C Kendall
Milford Marlins 24–16 Skirlaugh Bulls 12 February 2011 14:00 Milford Sports Club S Ansell
Wigan St Patricks 16–18 Leigh Miners Rangers 5 February 2011 13:30 Harper Street J Bloem
Hunslet Warriors 22–16 Wigan St Judes 5 February 2011 13:30 The Oval A Gill
Fryston Warriors 16–12 Bradford Dudley Hill 19 February 2011 14:00 Askham Road B Robinson
Rochdale Mayfield 12–25 Siddal 12 February 2011 14:30 Mayfield Sports Centre T Mahar
East Hull 31–22 Myton Warriors 5 February 2011 13:30 Rosmead Sports Centre C Halloran
Egremont Rangers 22–10 Wath Brow Hornets 5 February 2011 13:30 North Road J Cobb
Leigh East 16–18 Thatto Heath Crusaders 5 February 2011 13:30 Ledgard Street D Sharpe

Pool B

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Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
The Army 27–16 RAF 5 February 2011 13:30 Aldershot Rugby Stadium P Stockman
Loughborough University 18–25 Northumbria University 5 February 2011 13:30 Holywell Park J Leahy
Warrington Wizards 28–20 Royal Navy 6 February 2011 13:30 Wilderspool Stadium P Brooke
Leeds Metropolitan University 44–14 Hull University 5 February 2011 13:30 Leeds Metropolitan University B Robinson

Round 3

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Third Round draw was made on 15 February. Ties were played on weekend of 5 March.

Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Siddal 6–54 Widnes Vikings 6 March 2011 11:30 The Shay D Sharpe 951
Milford Marlins 16–38 Gateshead Thunder 5 March 2011 14:30 West Park Leeds RUFC C Halloran 400
London Skolars 60–24 Egremont Rangers 5 March 2011 15:30 New River Stadium G Stokes 342
Oldham R.L.F.C. 28–16 Hunslet Warriors 6 March 2011 15:00 Whitebank Stadium C Leatherbarrow 538
Batley Bulldogs 64–10 Fryston Warriors 6 March 2011 14:00 Mount Pleasant W Turley 774
Sheffield Eagles 82–0 Leeds Met University 6 March 2011 15:00 Don Valley Stadium M Kidd 350
Whitehaven 14–27 Lézignan Sangliers 5 March 2011 18:00 Recreation Ground M Thomason 651
Hunslet Hawks 48–10 Warrington Wizards 6 March 2011 15:00 South Leeds Stadium T Mahar 316
Rochdale Hornets 22–20 Workington Town 6 March 2011 15:00 Spotland Stadium T Roby 358
Featherstone Rovers 86–0 British Army 5 March 2011 14:00 Bigfellas Stadium D Merrick 723
Doncaster 34–22 Thatto Heath Crusaders 5 March 2011 15:00 Keepmoat Stadium B Robinson 352
Northumbria University 0–132 York City Knights 6 March 2011 15:00 Huntington Stadium J Cobb 434
South Wales Scorpions 6–62 Dewsbury Rams 6 March 2011 15:00 The Gnoll J Leahy 356
Leigh Miners Rangers 26–56 Barrow Raiders 5 March 2011 14:30 Leigh Sports Village R Cowling 633
Keighley Cougars 16–10 Toulouse Olympique 5 March 2011 18:00 Cougar Park R Laughton 479
Leigh Centurions 68–24 Hull Dockers 6 March 2011 15:00 Leigh Sports Village T Crashley 1,083
Swinton Lions 44–4 East Hull 5 March 2011 13:45 The Willows P Brooke 305
Halifax 76–6 Castleford Lock Lane 6 March 2011 15:00 The Shay C Sharrad 1,684

Round 4

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Fourth round draw was made on 20 March. Ties were played on weekend of 7 May.

Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Leigh Centurions 16–22 Catalans Dragons 6 May 2011 20:00 Leigh Sports Village J Child 2,237
Gateshead Thunder 0–70 Harlequins 6 May 2011 20:00 Gateshead International Stadium C Halloran 402
Hull FC 82–0 Oldham R.L.F.C. 7 May 2011 13:00 KC Stadium C Leatherbarrow 6,235
St. Helens 52–26 Sheffield Eagles 7 May 2011 15:00 Stobart Stadium B Thaler 3,563
Leeds Rhinos 30–20 Crusaders 7 May 2011 15:15 Headingley Stadium S Ganson 10,954
Featherstone Rovers 42–16 Lézignan Sangliers 7 May 2011 18:30 Bigfellas Stadium R Laughton 827
York City Knights 22–64 Hull Kingston Rovers 8 May 2011 15:00 Huntington Stadium G Hewer 2,463
Warrington Wolves 80–0 Keighley Cougars 8 May 2011 15:00 Halliwell Jones Stadium G Stokes 6,583
Wigan Warriors 52–0 Barrow Raiders 8 May 2011 15:00 DW Stadium T Roby 8,026
London Skolars 18–62 Widnes Vikings 8 May 2011 15:00 New River Stadium C Sharrad 415
Batley Bulldogs 18–28 Huddersfield Giants 8 May 2011 15:00 Mount Pleasant R Hicks 2,676
Dewsbury Rams 38–44 Swinton Lions 8 May 2011 15:00 Ram Stadium J Leahy 692
Hunslet Hawks 2–68 Salford City Reds 8 May 2011 15:00 South Leeds Stadium W Turley 649
Rochdale Hornets 10–72 Castleford Tigers 8 May 2011 15:00 Spotland Stadium T Alibert 1,675
Doncaster 10–50 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 8 May 2011 15:00 Keepmoat Stadium M Thomason 1,823
Halifax 34–46 Bradford Bulls 8 May 2011 15:15 The Shay P Bentham 5,045

Round 5

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Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Leeds Rhinos 40–20 Harlequins 20 May 2011 20:00 Headingley Stadium B Thaler 7,147
Salford City Reds 0–25 Hull Kingston Rovers 20 May 2011 20:00 The Willows T Alibert 2,087
Warrington Wolves 112–0 Swinton Lions 20 May 2011 20:00 Halliwell Jones Stadium T Roby 4,440
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 18–20 Castleford Tigers 21 May 2011 14:30 The Rapid Solicitors Stadium R Silverwood 6,604
Widnes Vikings 26–50 Hull 21 May 2011 15:00 Stobart Stadium R Hicks 3,387
Huddersfield Giants 30–16 Catalans Dragons 22 May 2011 15:00 Galpharm Stadium P Bentham 3,198
St. Helens 70–0 Featherstone Rovers 22 May 2011 15:00 Stobart Stadium J Child 2,905
Bradford Bulls 22–26 Wigan Warriors 22 May 2011 15:30 Grattan Stadium S Ganson 5,828

Quarter finals

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Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Attendance
Warrington Wolves 24–44 Wigan Warriors 23 July 2011 16:30 Halliwell Jones Stadium R Silverwood 13,024
Hull F.C. 22–38 Leeds Rhinos 24 July 2011 15:30 KC Stadium S Ganson 9,496
Castleford Tigers 22–18 Huddersfield Giants 24 July 2011 15:30 PROBIZ Colliseum P Bentham 6,336
St. Helens 54–6 Hull Kingston Rovers 24 July 2011 15:00 Stobart Stadium B Thaler 6,449

Semi finals

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6 August 2011
16:30
Wigan Warriors 18–12 St. Helens

7 August 2011
15:15
Castleford Tigers 8–10 aet Leeds Rhinos
Keepmoat Stadium
Attendance: 13,158
Referee: Phil Bentham

Final

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Teams warming up before the final at Wembley Stadium

The two sides with the most Challenge Cup Final appearances had only met twice before, Wigan winning both times (1994 and 1995). Leeds had played in the previous year's Challenge Cup final loss, but it was the Wigan's Warriors' first visit to the new Wembley Stadium. Abide with me was sung by Rhydian Roberts.

The game was broadcast by BBC with John Kear and Dave Woods commentating, as well as additional commentary from Tanya Arnold, Clare Balding, Jonathan Davies, Robbie Hunter-Paul, Justin Morgan and Brian Noble. The English national anthem was then sung before referee Phil Bentham, overseeing his first Challenge Cup final, blew time on and Leeds's captain Kevin Sinfield kicked off.

Leeds Rhinos Posit. Wigan Warriors
1 Brent Webb FB 1 Sam Tomkins
23 Ben Jones-Bishop WG 25 Josh Charnley
19 Kallum Watkins CE 12 Joel Tomkins
12 Carl Ablett CE 4 George Carmont
5 Ryan Hall WG 5 Pat Richards
13 Kevin Sinfield (c) SO 6 Paul Deacon
6 Danny McGuire SH 17 Brett Finch
8 Kylie Leuluai PR 10 Andy Coley
9 Danny Buderus HK 7 Thomas Leuluai
10 Jamie Peacock PR 15 Jeff Lima
11 Jamie Jones-Buchanan SR 11 Harrison Hansen
3 Brett Delaney SR 16 Ryan Hoffman
20 Weller Hauraki LF 13 Sean O'Loughlin (c)
7 Rob Burrow Int. 9 Michael McIlorum
16 Ryan Bailey Int. 14 Paul Prescott
17 Ian Kirke Int. 21 Lee Mossop
21 Chris Clarkson Int. 22 Liam Farrell
Brian McDermott Coach Michael Maguire

UK Broadcasting rights

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Selected matches were televised solely by the BBC, for the last time. The following season the BBC and Sky Sports shared a selected round 4 and round 5 match and the BBC televising two quarter final matches and Sky Sports televising the other two quarter finals. The BBC still televised the semi-finals and the final.[citation needed]

Round Live match Date BBC channel
Round 4 Leeds Rhinos 30 - 20 Crusaders
Halifax 34 - 46 Bradford Bulls
May 7, 2011
May 8, 2011
BBC One (First half)/BBC Two (Second half)1
BBC Two
Round 5 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 18 - 20 Castleford Tigers
Bradford Bulls 22 - 26 Wigan Warriors
May 21, 2011
May 22, 2011
BBC One2
BBC Two
Quarter finals Warrington Wolves 24 - 44 Wigan Warriors
Hull F.C. 22 - 38 Leeds Rhinos
July 23, 2011
July 24, 2011
BBC Two
Semi finals Wigan Warriors 18 - 12 St. Helens
Castleford Tigers 8 - 10 aet Leeds Rhinos
August 6, 2011
August 7, 2011
Final Leeds Rhinos 18 - 28 Wigan Warriors Saturday August 27 BBC One

1 Except Northern Ireland.

2 Except Scotland which was televised live on BBC Two Scotland.

References

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  1. ^ rleague.com (27 August 2011). "Challenge Cup continues to grow in stature". wiganwarriors.com. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  2. ^ "Carnegie Challenge Cup kicks off this weekend". Rugby Football League. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
  3. ^ "Wigan edge thrilling cup final". uk.eurosport.yahoo.com. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
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