Challenge Cup: Widnes Vikings 26-22 Batley Bulldogs

Winger Patrick Ah Van has scored seven tries in nine appearances so far this season

Widnes survived a second-half fightback from Championship side Batley to reach the Challenge Cup last eight.

Tries from Lloyd White, Patrick Ah Van and a brace from Kevin Brown put the hosts 20-6 up at the break, with Alex Rowe touching down for the Bulldogs.

Cameron Phelps continued the scoring for Widnes, but two tries from Wayne Reittie and another from Matt Fozard got Batley within a score late on.

The Vikings progress to face St Helens at Langtree Park in the quarter-finals.

Widnes, who lost to Castleford in the semi-finals last year, opened the scoring through hooker White, only for Rowe to respond for Batley.

Winger Ah Van showed his skill to beat a man out wide and touch down, before stand-off Brown crossed twice to put the hosts in a commanding half-time position.

A move involving Matt Whitley and Jack Owens set up centre Phelps to cross as Widnes extended their advantage to 20 points.

However, Batley - who sit eighth in the second tier - got back into the game when Reittie gathered a crossfield kick to score and Fozard followed up with a try from close range.

Wide man Reittie grabbed his second try of the game after neat work from Scott Leatherbarrow but the visitors could not find another score in the final 10 minutes as Widnes held on for victory.

Widnes: Owens, Ah Van, Marsh, Phelps, Flynn, Brown, Mellor, Dudson, White, Jospeh, Clarkson, Whitley, Isa.

Replacements: Heremaia, Manuokafoa, Leuluai, Dean.

Batley Bulldogs: Craven, Reittie, Ainscough, Faal, Bretherton, Ainscough, Leak, Leatherbarrow, Gledhill, Blake, Rowe, Scott, Day, Brown.

Replacements: Chandler, Fozard, Lillycrop, Hesketh.

Attendance: 3,866

Referee: Joe Cobb (RFL)