Home tie added incentive for cup hopefuls

EACH of the big three cup clashes involving local sides fell foul to frozen pitches, meaning it is a case of ‘same again’ this weekend.

Waterhead will hope to finally play their National Cup second round tie at Leigh Central Lions on Saturday (2pm), with the draw handing the winners a third round home game against Castleford Lock Lane.

Saddleworth Rangers and Oldham St Anne’s had both already made it into the hat for that third round stage of the same competition.

Saints have been presented with a tough away trip to Halifax-based National Conference League premier division outfit Siddal, while Rangers are at home to either Hensingham or Upton.

These fixtures will be played out on Saturday, January 17.

The postponements of the scheduled Carnegie Challenge Cup preliminary round ties between St Anne’s and Wigan St Jude’s, and Eccles and Salford Juniors and Saddleworth, means both matches will now take place this coming Saturday (both 1.30pm).

Waterhead were already assured of a place in the first round after receiving a bye.

They are down to play Castleford Lock Lane – which could mean the same fixture being played out two weeks running.

Should Saddleworth and St Anne’s make it through to round one they will face an away tie at Hull Isberg and a home game against Myton Warriors, respectively.

These first round Challenge Cup matches are due to be played on Saturday, January 24.