Leigh made light of an arduous 18-hour journey to the south of France to reach the last 16 of the Challenge Cup with a gutsy 32-20 win in Limoux.

Neighbours Widnes were made to postpone their tie with French club Lezignan, whose flight to England was cancelled due to the threat of volcanic ash.

But Leigh undertook the journey by train and coach from Folkestone.

And, despite not reaching their hotel until well into the early hours, they were rewarded with victory.

Despite not getting to bed until 0400 BST there was little sign of fatigue as Leigh raced into a 10-0 lead inside 14 minutes.

Tries from Dave Alstead and Steve Maden, and a Mick Nanyn conversion put the visitors in control, only for the French side to turn the game on its head with tries from Maxime Herold, Bastian Almacha and Russell Bussian.

With Phil Ramage kicking two goals, Limoux went in at the break 16-10 up.

But the 1971 winners recovered after the break, running in four more tries through James Taylor, Mike Morrison, Ricky Bibey and Nanyn, who took his goal tally to four.

Halifax enjoyed a second-half romp on Friday night as they thrashed Swinton 56-4 to become the first club through to the last 16.

Last year's beaten Championship play-off finalists led 12-4 at the break.

But the Championship title hopefuls then ran away with it after the resumption, crossing the hosts' line eight more times.

Luke Branighan, Shad Royston and Ben Black bagged a brace apiece for the five-time cup winners, Lee Patterson proving successful with eight goals.

Forwards Said Tamghart, Mark Roberts, Sean Penkywicz and Steve Bannister also crossed in the 10-try rout at Sedgley Park.

Championship 1 strugglers Swinton's lone reply came before the break from winger Barry Hamilton.

Halifax's only Challenge Cup win since the war came with the 19-18 win over St Helens in 1987. But they have not been back to Wembley since returning the following year, only to lose to Wigan at the start of their great run of dominance.

In Sunday's fixtures,Batley, the first winners of the Challenge Cup, in 1897, face a trip into the unknown at amateur side Siddal.

Halifax-based Siddal, who are still battling for the National Conference Premier Division title, have been granted permission to switch the game to The Shay.

Twice winners Hunslet, who last lifted the cup against Widnes at Wembley in 1934, are at home to Oldham, who have won it three times, but whose last victory was even longer ago, against Swinton at Central Park, in 1927.

In Sunday's other tie, Championship 1 side Blackpool play host to a team from the division above them, Whitehaven, at the Woodlands Memorial Ground.

All Sunday's games kick off at 1500 BST.

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