The line-up for the Challenge Cup semi-finals at Doncaster has been revealed

VaselineMay 19, 2024

0 2 minutes read

The line-up for the Challenge Cup semi-finals at Doncaster has been revealed

The first of the men’s Challenge Cup semi-finals for 2024 is now in the books, with Wigan Warriors providing a rugby lesson against an ill-disciplined Hull KR side to advance to Wembley and end the Robins’ hopes of a second successive final.

Wigan’s performance was a complete reversal from that in Super League just three weeks ago when they were humiliated by Hull KR, the Robins running out 26-10 winners at Craven Park.

Since that defeat, Matt Peet’s side have piled on the points against the Catalans and Huddersfield before winning 38-6 today, taking their total since that defeat to a remarkable 116-22.

With such a brilliant display of Challenge Cup Rugby League, coupled with wonderful weather, you’d expect a huge crowd to pack the 15,000 capacity Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster, especially given the huge support both clubs have. Unfortunately, this was not the case, with a reported attendance of just 11,163.

Questions must now be asked about the validity of neutral venues for the Challenge Cup semi-finals.

An impressive turnout in the Challenge Cup at Doncaster?

The crowd of 11,163 beats the 10,926 who turned up at Headingley for the semi-final between these two clubs last season.

Today’s attendance is about average for a cup semi-final, but how does it compare to other rugby league matches that have taken place at the same stadium in Doncaster.

The last Rugby League match before today to take place at the venue was in 2022 during the Rugby League World Cup. Thus, 6,968 fans attended for Papua New Guinea against Wales.

Two other matches were played at the Eco-Power Stadium (formerly the Keepmoat Stadium) in the competition, with 4,415 in attendance for Samoa v Greece and 4,182 in attendance for France v Greece.

The real crowd comparisons today though are against other Challenge Cup semi-finals that have taken place at Doncaster.

In 2017, an impressive 14,526 turned up to close to selling out the venue as Hull FC beat Leeds Rhinos 43-24.

However, the previous year saw a much poorer crowd, with just 10,488 attending Hull’s 16-12 triumph over Wigan Warriors.

In 2011, 13,158 attended Leeds’ dramatic golden point win against Castleford Tigers.

Taking all this into account, today’s crowd comes in on average. However, it’s still a little disappointing that a Challenge Cup semi-final between two major teams can’t sell out a 15,000-capacity stadium.

It will be interesting to see what crowd tomorrow’s other semi-final between Warrington Wolves and Huddersfield Giants attracts at the Totally Wicked Stadium, with the Wire faithful expected to vastly outscore their opponents.

All eyes will then be on Wembley, with the potential of a Wigan-Warrington final sure to bring decent numbers to the national stadium.

VaselineMay 19, 2024

0 2 minutes read

An impressive turnout in the Challenge Cup at Doncaster?

Vaseline

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