NATIONAL Conference sides Heworth and York Acorn have learned their draws for the opening two rounds of next season’s Betfred Challenge Cup.

The draw was conducted live on BBC Radio Manchester on Tuesday evening by winger Josh Charnley, who helped Leigh Leopards lift the trophy with a dramatic victory against Hull KR at Wembley Stadium  in August.

Heworth are one of 20 clubs from the community and armed forces to enter the competition at the First Round stage, in which they will travel to Clock Face Miners on January 13.

Scott Rhodes’ side have good form against their St Helens-based opponents, having comfortably won the teams’ last meeting on Merseyside 36-4 in August.

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The winner of that tie has been drawn at home to Siddal in the Second Round, which will be played on the weekend of January 27-28.

Halifax-based Siddal made it to the Third Round of last term’s competition before defeat to Betfred Championship side Sheffield Eagles, who were in turn beaten at York Knights in the following round.

York Acorn, one of the 10 NCL Premier sides to enter the draw in the Second Round, will travel to the winners of the First Round tie between Orrell St James and Haresfinch.

Josh Mortimer’s Acorn will hope to replicate the form that has seen them reach the Third Round for a third successive season.

Their progression to that stage of this year’s competition saw them handed a dream tie against five-time Challenge Cup winners Bradford Bulls at Odsal in one of the biggest games in their history.

Prop Tim Stubbs scored York’s only try of the game as they fell to a 62-6 defeat.