With the British Army having been knocked out of the 2025 Challenge Cup yesterday afternoon by Wests Warriors, the only remaining armed forces side, the Royal Navy, sought progress towards a third-round home tie against the Leigh Leopards but faced a daunting task as they entertained Workington Town.

A win today would see the Navy into the third round for only the third time in their Challenge Cup history, but the bookies favourites were professional side Workington Town, who lifted the trophy in the 1951-52 season after beating Featherstone Rovers at Wembley.

After making all the early running it was Workington who took the lead on five minutes when Jonny Hutton went through a gap to score from twenty metres. Ciaran Walker failed to add the conversion, the Navy barely having use of the ball in the opening exchanges.

The second try came on eight minutes when Cooper Howlett chased down a grubber kick to dive on the ball unopposed and ground by the left upright. Walker was again wide with the conversion attempt, the lead eight points in as many minutes.

It was one way traffic as Workington added their third on fifteen minutes through Rio Corkhill down the left side and this time Walker found the target with the conversion, the Royal Navy were unable to muster an attack of any description as conditions worsened.

Will Evans was the next Town players on the scoresheet as he took a pass from Dom Wear to do over unopposed. Walker had a touchline conversion attempt and had no chance against the strong winds.

Doran tapped a penalty to himself under the sticks and exploited a defensive lapse as he went through a gap in the Navy defence to ground. Walker had the easiest conversion of the game for 24-0, the visitors in total control.

Workington turned defence into attack on thirty-eight with a ninety metre try started thanks to a Zarrin Galea break for twenty before he found Hutton in support to sprint seventy down the left wing to go over in the corner and improve the angle for Walker to add the conversion with just a few seconds of the half remaining.

A chip over the top from Walker was chased by Callum Phillips and dotted down for the seventh Workington try of the afternoon. Walker was on target for the fourth time in the game for 36-0, the Workington staff already starting their preparation for the visit of Leigh Leopards in a fortnights time.

The onslaught continued on fifty-two with Noah High crashing through the defensive line to ground. Walker added the conversion as the visitors passed the forty. Workington were totally dominant.

On the hour Jonny Hutton scored his hat-trick try after taking a looping pass and diving into the corner. Walker was just wide with his touchline conversion attempt but the fifty was now within target with eighteen minutes remaining.

Six minutes remained as Jack Stephenson brought up the Workington fifty as he stepped out of three tackles in a thirty metres drive for the line to stoop and score. Walker slipped as he took the conversion, but the half century was on the board.

The icing on the cake came in time added on as Rio Corkhill dove on a grubber kick to the corner. Walker kicked the conversion from the touchline as the final whistle was blown on a fifty-six points victory as they kept the Royal Navy scoreless.

It was too easy for Town in difficult conditions as they showed the gulf between the professional and amateur game. They were in the faces of the Navy from the outset and never gave them any opportunity on the attack to register points in a ten try demolition. Leigh away Workington and they will find that a much sterner challenge as they look to create a major upset.

Royal Navy: Dainty, Dakuliga, Connor, Sugden, Vorweg, Bartlett, Baird, Richardson, Joel, Brown, Butler, Quantock, Ray. Subs: Hargreaves, Stoppard, Hawkshaw, Newcombe. 18th Man: Bale.

Workington Town: Galea, Hutton (3T), Corkhill (2T), Evans (T), Atiga, Walker (G 6/11), Wear, Scholey, Doran (T), Graham, Barnes, Howlett (T), Bradley.  Subs: Phillips (T), Carter, Stephenson (T), High (T). 18th Man: Farrar.

Half-Time: 0-30.

Full-Time: 0-56.

Score Progression: 0-4, 0-8, 0-12, 0-14, 0-18, 0-22, 0-24, 0-28, 0-30 : HT: 0-34, 0-36, 0-40, 0-42, 0-46, 0-50. 0-54, 0-56 :FT.

Lead Exchanges: Workington.

Referee: Josh Pemberton.