YORK Acorn RLC have been drawn at home to Askam in the first round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.
Last season, Acorn were knocked out of the competition at the second round by Myton Warriors, while division two Askam’s most recent appearance in the Challenge Cup first round came in 2014 in a 12-8 home loss to British Army.
The draw was made by former Hull FC captain and back-to-back winner of the Challenge Cup Gareth Ellis, who played in Hull’s 18-14 win over Wigan in the 2017 final, and England Assistant Coach and five-time Challenge Cup trophy winner Paul Wellens.
All first-round ties will be played over the weekend of January 27-28.
Kingstone Press National Conference League division one Acorn missed out on promotion to the premier division after finishing fifth and being beaten in the play-off semi-final by Milford Marlins, while Askam finished their division two season in sixth.
And Marlins make the trip to British Army, while division one champions Hunslet Club Parkside welcome Conference League South’s Valley Cougars.
Other ties of note include the competition-first all-London clash between London Chargers and Hammersmith Hills Hoists, and West Hull welcoming Longhorns, the first Irish side to enter the competition since 1998.
The full draw is as follows:
Leigh Miners Rangers versus Myton Warriors
Underbank Rangers versus Batley Boys
Kells versus British Police
Wallsend Eagles versus Pilkington Recs
Rochdale Mayfield versus Crosfields
Lock Lane versus Hindley
Hunslet Club Parkside versus Valley Cougars
London Chargers versus Hammersmith Hills Hoists
Royal Air Force versus Drighlington
Oulton Raiders versus Siddal
Millom versus Strathmore Silverbacks
Loughborough University versus Bradford Dudley Hill
University of Hull versus Hensingham
Orrell St James versus Northampton Demons
Royal Navy versus Normanton Knights
York Acorn versus Askam
Saddleworth Rangers versus Thatto Heath Crusaders
Shaw Cross Sharks versus Beverley
West Hull versus Longhorns RL
East Leeds versus Thornhill Trojans
Hunslet Warriors versus Wath Brow Hornets
Featherstone Lions versus Skirlaugh
British Army versus Milford Marlins
Distington versus Queens
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here