Leeds rugby league sides' huge incentive for Challenge Cup progress as Hunslet RLFC aim to avoid shock

Community clubs Hunslet ARLFC and Oulton Raiders are both one win away from facing top-flight professional opposition in the Betfred Challenge Cup third round, but Hunslet RLFC must avoid a banana skin before they can do the same. The draw for the third round has already been made, so clubs know what is at stake and Leeds’ representatives could not have a bigger incentive.

Hunslet ARLFC play host to National Conference Premier Division rivals West Hull on Saturday (2pm), with the winners going on to face St Helens in two weeks’ time. Raiders, of Conference Division One, travel to Premier Division York Acorn the same day (2pm) for the right to take on Hull FC in round three.

Hunslet RLFC will be in action for the first time since winning promotion to the Betfred Championship last October when they visit Conference top-flight side Lock Lane on Saturday (2pm). The victors will be at home to Huddersfield Giants in the third round.

Hunslet are aiming to avoid a second Challenge Cup loss to non-league opponents since the competition was revamped - with the opening round being made up entirely of amateur clubs - in 1994. In 1998 Hunslet were stunned 14-12 at Cumbrian side Ellenborough Rangers in round four, after then-professional neighbours Bramley had lost to the same opposition at the previous stage.

The full list of wins by non-league sides against professional opponents since 1994 is:

1995 - Highfield, Beverley 27 (round 3).

1996 - Chorley 12, Thatto Heath Crusaders 27; Highfield 20, West Hull 35 (both round 3); West Hull 10, York 6 (round 4).

1997 - York 14, Dudley Hill 21 (round 3).

1998 - Bramley 10, Ellenborough Rangers 16; Doncaster 18, Featherstone Lions 23 (both round 3); Egremont Rangers 18, Workington Town 0; Ellenborough Rangers 14, Hunslet Hawks 12 (both round 4).

1999 - Bramley 12, Leigh Miners Rangers 18 (round 3).

2000 - Batley Bulldogs 0, Oldham St Annes 10; Sheffield Eagles 14, Thornhill Trojans 16 (both round 3).

2001 - Chorley Lynx 8, Woolston Rovers 22 (round 3).

2003 - Wath Brow Hornets 13, Workington Town 12; Halton Simms Cross 15, London Skolars 8 (both round 3).

2004 - Sharlston Rovers 30, Dewsbury Rams 28; Bradford-Dudley Hill 16, Keighley Cougars 14; Swinton Lions 14, East Hull 26 (both round 3).

2005 - Wath Brow Hornets 32, Dewsbury Rams 30 (round 3).

2006 - Thornhill Trojans 16, Workington Town 12 (round 3).

2009 - Wath Brow Hornets 14, London Skolars 12 (round 3).

2010 - Doncaster 0, Siddal 26 (round 3).

2015 - Leigh Miners Rangers 32, Oxford 6 (round 4).

2016 - Featherstone Lions 37, South Wales Scorpions 20; Kells 12, Hemel Stags 6; Pilkington Recs 13, London Skolars 0; Siddal 30, Newcastle Thunder 4; Oxford 22, Castleford Lock Lane 37 (all round 3).

2019 - Thatto Heath Crusaders 16, North Wales Crusaders 14 (round 4).

2020 - West Wales Raiders 8, Underbank Rangers 30 (round 3).

2022 - Oldham 12, Lock Lane 22 (round 2); London Skolars 6, Hunslet Club Parkside 28 (round 3).

2023 - Cornwall 14, Rochdale Mayfield 20 (round 2).

2024 - Cornwall 10, York Acorn 18 (round 3).