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