Challenge Cup draw - tough ties in store for Featherstone Rovers, Dewsbury Rams and Batley Bulldogs

Featherstone Rovers will play host to Bradford Bulls in the highlight of the Betfred Challenge Cup first round - and Dewsbury Rams and Batley Bulldogs both also face a tough tie.
By Peter Smith
Published 11th Feb 2021, 17:27 BST
Betfred will sponsor the men's, women's and wheelchair Challenge Cups this year. Leeds Rhinos hold all three trophies.Betfred will sponsor the men's, women's and wheelchair Challenge Cups this year. Leeds Rhinos hold all three trophies.
Betfred will sponsor the men's, women's and wheelchair Challenge Cups this year. Leeds Rhinos hold all three trophies.

Rovers' Yorkshire derby was the last tie drawn in the first round.

Both teams are expected to be challenging for promotion from the Betfred Championship to Super League this year.

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The winners will be at home to either the newly-named Halifax Panthers or Batley in the second round, which was also drawn today (Thursday).

Batley will visit the Shay for an all-Championship first round derby.

Dewsbury Rams face a long trip to Championship rivals Whitehaven in the first round.

The winners of that will visit either Betfred League One side West Wales Raiders or - more likely - Championship outfit Widnes Vikings in round two.

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First round ties will be played on March 20/21, with round two staged the following weekend.

The 12 Super League clubs enter at the third round stage on the weekend of April 10/11.

The quarter-finals are scheduled for the weekend of May 8-9, and the semi-finals will be played as a double-header on June 5, leading to the final at Wembley on Saturday, July 17.

The first round draw is: London Broncos v Keighley Cougars, Whitehaven v Dewsbury Rams, Oldham v Barrow Raiders, West Wales Raiders v Widnes Vikings, Swinton Lions v Newcastle Thunder, Halifax Panthers v Batley Bulldogs, Sheffield Eagles v York City Knights, Featherstone Rovers v Bradford Bulls.

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Second round draw: Swinton Lions or Newcastle v Oldham or Barrow Raiders, Featherstone Rovers or Bradford Bulls v Halifax or Batley Bulldogs, London Broncos or Keighley Cougars v Sheffield Eagles or York City Knights, West Wales Raiders or Widnes v Whitehaven or Dewsbury Rams.

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Related topics:Dewsbury RamsBatley BulldogsBradford BullsFeatherstone RoversWest Wales RaidersHalifax PanthersSuper League