Rugby League

RAF through to Challenge Cup second round for first time in four years

atch: RAF through to Challenge Cup second round for first time in four years.

The RAF rugby league team are through to second round of the Challenge Cup for the first time since 2019.

The Royal Air Force have lost their last two first-round matches and were not part of the 2021 tournament due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A 36-20 win away at Donny Toll Bar in Yorkshire means the RAF will now face York Acorn in round two at RAF Cranwell on either 25 or 26 February.

A first half full of tries saw Toll Bar run in three through Curtis Garrity, Adam Wright and Mitch Garrity but poor conversions from Luke Cade allowed the RAF to stay in touch on the scoreline.

Lewis Boyle and Adam Potter both scored converted tries to make the Toll Bar lead just two points at half-time.

However, a second-half masterclass from Keiren Prescott swung the game in the RAF's favour.

He scored a hat-trick, including a try where he ran the full length of the pitch, which gave the RAF a commanding victory.

Joshua Caldwell's yellow card didn't allow Toll Bar back into the game with Nath Barker also on the scoresheet for the RAF.

Jacob Jones did grab a second-half double for the home side but it was the military side celebrating an important win in Doncaster.

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