Challenge Cup draws: Leeds rugby league sides face tough opening ties

The newly-promoted Championship outfit were handed a trip to either Lock Lane or Doncaster Toll Bar in tonight’s (Monday’s) draw. Lock Lane, from Castleford, play in the National Conference Premier Division while Toll Bar are from the top tier of the Yorkshire Men’s League.

Championship and League One clubs will join the knockout competition in round two, after an opening phase involving 34 community teams. Leeds’ Oulton Raiders were awarded a long trip to London Chargers in round one, with the victors facing an away tie against GB Police or York Acorn.

National Conference champions Hunslet ARLFC travel to Wakefield to take on Stanley Rangers in round one. The winners of that game play host to either West Hull or Edinburgh Eagles.

The second round draw produced a potential Heavy Woollen derby, with Conference side Dewsbury Moor paired at home with League One neighbours Dewsbury Rams - if they beat Haresfinch in their opening tie. Featherstone Rovers are away to the winners of an all-Conference first round showdown between Waterhead Warriors and Leigh Miners Rangers.

Championship Batley Bulldogs visit Newcastle Thunder, of League One. New League One club Goole Vikings’ first competitive fixture is away to London Broncos, who were relegated from Super League this year.

Other highlights from the draw include a first round clash between Army and RAF and Bradford Bulls’ home second round tie against Championship rivals Doncaster. First round ties will be played on the weekend of January 11-12, which marks the official start of the 2025 season.

The 20 second round matches are scheduled for January 25-26. Super League clubs enter the competition at the third round stage, on February 8/9, when all will begin with an away tie.

Betfred Challenge Cup first round draw: West Hull v Edinburgh Eagles, London Chargers v Oulton Raiders, Longhorns v Ince Rose Bridge, Lock Lane v Doncaster Toll Bar, Hammersmith Hills Hoists v Siddal, Waterhead Warriors v Leigh Miners Rangers, GB Police v York Acorn, Aberavon Fighting Irish v Blackbrook, Mirfield v Royal Navy, Crosfields v Maryport, Army v RAF, Stanley Rangers v Hunslet ARLFC, West Bowling v Wath Brow Hornets, Dewsbury Moor v Haresfinch, Eastern Rhinos v Wests Warriors, Rochdale Mayfield v Telford Rangers, Thatto Heath Crusaders v Orrell St James.

Second round: GB Police/York Acorn v London Chargers/Oulton Raiders, Halifax Panthers v Thatto Heath/Orrell St James, Dewsbury Moor/Haresfinch v Dewsbury Rams, Barrow Raiders v Crossfields/Maryport, Mirfield/Royal Navy v Workington Town, London Broncos v Goole Vikings, Lock Lane/Doncaster Toll Bar v Hunslet RLFC, Waterhead Warriors/Leigh Miners Rangers v Featherstone Rovers, Eastern Rhinos/Wests Warriors v British Army/RAF, Whitehaven v Swinton Lions, Stanley Rangers/Hunslet ARLFC v West Hull/Edinburgh Eagles, Rochdale Hornets v Widnes Vikings, Oldham v Rochdale Mayfield/Telford Raiders, Keighley Cougars v York Knights, Sheffield Eagles v West Bowling/Wath Brow Hornets, Bradford Bulls v Doncaster, Aberavon Fighting Irish/Blackbrook v Longhorns/Ince Rose Bridge, Midlands Hurricanes v Hammersmith Hills Hoists/Siddal, Cornwall vs North Wales Crusaders, Newcastle Thunder v Batley Bulldogs.