Holders Vikings face Rail journey south

Apr 11 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES Vikings will continue their defence of the Northern Rail Cup with a trip to South Wales.

Celtic Crusaders have been paired at home with Steve McCormack’s side in the last eight.

This follows victories for both in last Sunday’s quarter-final qualifying round in which the Vikings convincingly saw off Sheffield Eagles 44-8 while Crusaders gained an excellent 30-24 win at Halifax.

Celtic lie fourth in National League One after winning two of their first three.

The draw has thrown up a number of mouth-watering clashes.

Featherstone Rovers will host Salford City Reds in a game to be broadcast “live” on Sky Sports on Thursday, May 22.

Batley will face Oldham and Rochdale are to meet Doncaster in a tie that guarantees at least one team from The Co-operative National League Two in the semi-finals.

With the exception of Featherstone's game, ties will be played on May 24 and 25.

The final is again at Blackpool's Bloomfield Road on Sunday, July 6.