Bedford Tigers are just one game away from a tie against a Super League club, as they achieved their first ever victory in rugby league’s Betfred Challenge Cup on Sunday (11 January) with a 36-6 success over Medway Dragons.
At the third time of asking, the Tigers are through to the second round, where they will face a tricky trip to Championship side, North Wales Crusaders, but should they triumph against the odds, they will welcome a Super League side to Bedford in round three.
The Tigers had never reached the second round before Sunday’s clash at Bedford Ath, with two previous losses against Distington in Cumbria in 2020 and Brentwood Eels in 2023 in the first stage of the competition.
They can now look forward to a trip to Wales in a fortnight’s time to better what has already been a fantastic start to the new rugby league season.
The second round – to take place on the weekend of 24 and 25 January – will combine 17 first round winners with the 21 Betfred Championship clubs, to produce 19 ties.
Super League sides, such as current Super League and Challenge Cup holders, Hull KR enter the competition in the third round, and will be seeded but guaranteed to face an away tie against a Championship or community club.
Bedford Tigers enjoyed a far more successful season in the Southern Conference League throughout 2025, finishing third in the regular calendar with nine wins from 14 league games, before succumbing 30-10 to a strong Hammersmith Hill Hoists side in the play-off semi-finals.
This win will only embolden them with the new campaign on the horizon.
Story of the match
Bedford Tigers, who were hosting last season’s London and South East champions, Medway were in control for the majority, scoring 32 unanswered points after going behind early on.
Callum Dockerill opened the scoring for the Tigers, only for Medway to hit back thanks to Eddie Salter after 12 minutes, with Nick Hardinges adding the extras.
That was as good as it got for the visitors, as the Tigers went on a 32-point scoring streak, beginning with their second and third tries before the break courtesy of Lewis Swindells and Jack Saunders, with the Tigers leading 14-6 at half-time.
The only blotch on a solid first half was a yellow card for Josh Hudson-Lett, but he would bounce back in a scintillating second half for the Tigers, scoring two of an additional four tries as Bedford soared clear.
Tigers show their teeth
Upon Hudson-Lett’s return, both he and Bailey Thomas scored to extend the lead to 18 points, and despite a second yellow card – this time for opening try scorer Dockerill – Bedford continued to press on the accelerator pedal.
Henry Higginson and Hudson-Lett’s second, along with the ticking boot of former Dragon, Jack Brown sealed a 36-6 victory bristling with pace and power that the Dragons just could not match.
The draw for round three of the Betfred Challenge Cup took place on Monday afternoon (12 January), with Bedford Tigers drawn at home to Super League side, Leigh Leopards in round three should they get past the challenge of North Wales Crusaders.
North Wales Crusaders vs Bedford Tigers will take place on 24 or 25 January in the seaside town of Colwyn Bay.
This article was updated at 14:40 on Monday 12 January to reflect details of the third round draw.
