Dave Craven: Wembley set to remain well out of reach for the minnows

It is almost as if the term ‘giant-killing’ has been dropped entirely from the rugby league lexicon.

Of course, Featherstone Rovers’ warmly-received victory over Castleford Tigers a couple of weeks ago was deemed an upset.

But, in light of their relative positions in the Super League and Championship, it was always a distinct possibility the flat-cappers could flatten their nervy neighbours.

Beating Wigan Warriors this evening would truly be a giant-killing act in every sense of the phrase.

However, let us delve into real fairytale stuff... what of the chances of a second-tier club ever going on all the way and reaching Wembley?

Will it ever happen? Since the league was split into two divisions in 1973, a lower division outfit has never once ventured as far.

At least one Championship club will be in Tuesday morning’s quarter-final draw given Halifax and Leigh are facing each other over the weekend.

They may be joined by another as Batley Bulldogs are clearly savouring the prospect of London Broncos arriving to contend with their famous Mount Pleasant slope on Sunday.

John Kear said if his Batley side had to face a Super League team in the fifth round it would be those perennial strugglers from the capital.

He has his wish and will now call upon all his famous motivational qualities to eke out a victory.

They pushed Huddersfield Giants close last season and though there have been many changes since Kear’s arrival, they have the nucleus of a strong side.

With Gareth Moore and Ben Black offering different threats from half-back – one with his kicking, the other more so with sheer pace – the Bulldogs have a pairing which can cause problems while this week’s addition of James Grehan from Castleford will bolster their pack.

They will have already garnered much confidence from Featherstone’s triumph and, given Kear’s rich history in the cup, few would argue against him masterminding another upset.

If Batley were to proceed – let us remember London have only won four of their last 34 Super League games – there is always the chance they could be drawn against the Halifax/Leigh victors.

That would see a Championship club venture as far as the semis and, then, who knows?

It would be fitting for Halifax to press on and advance further as next week marks the 25th anniversary of their amazing 1987 cup final win over St Helens.

Admittedly, they were faring well in the first division at the time but Chris Anderson’s side were still major underdogs.

John Pendlebury’s heroics – not just his winning drop-goal but that crucial last-ditch tackle on Mark Elia – will be heartily remembered by the Halifax faithful. No doubt, current coach Karl Harrison will remind all his players of that occasion, too, ahead of this weekend’s contest.

But not since Justin Morgan’s Hull Kingston Rovers famously reached the semi-finals in 2006, before bowing out against St Helens, has there even been a lower league side in the last four.

While this season holds a chance for one of the lesser lights to reach the same stage, it will need a perfect storm for it all to materialise. Sheffield Eagles will strive to compete in Perpignan but with all due respect to Swinton Lions, they have no chance at Huddersfield Giants.

There is more chance of Nathan Brown adding Willie Mason, and ‘Two Bob’ Roberts to his mid-season capture of Scott Moore.

Likewise, Oldham at St Helens.

But Batley, Halifax and Leigh will all quietly have one eye on making the headlines.

The only issue if they succeed is that Wigan, Saints, Leeds, Huddersfield and probably Warrington await at some point.

Then the real ‘magic’ of the cup is required but there is very little of that left given the sheer strength of the top table.