Flanagan joy at Widnes tie

EYES ON THE PRIZE: Saddleworth Rangers youngsters with the touring Challenge Cup before the first team’s home second round tie against Castleford lock Lane. Pictured are (l-r): Luke Greenwood, Daniel Moxon, Lewis Hough, Harry Ripley and Joseph Greenwood.

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IT MAY not be the big pay-day of yesteryear, but few at Saddleworth Rangers are complaining too much after landing a plum Carnegie Challenge Cup third round draw away at Widnes Vikings.

The RFL have changed the prize money structure in the competition this season. While in the past amateur sides reaching this stage could expect a 50-50 split of gate receipts after expenses had been paid out, this season they instead pick up a flat £3,000 each.

This is because the RFL has struck a deal with clubs which sees season ticket holders in the Co-operative Championship leagues gain entry to the games at this stage free of charge, in order to boost flagging attendances.

Unfortunately for Rangers, this also means that despite landing Widnes — the best-supported club entering the competition at this stage — it won't be reflected in the money they take back to Greenfield.

“All amateur clubs are guaranteed £3,000 this year, which we believe represents better value for them given the season ticket promotions that are in place,” an RFL spokesman confirmed.

Saddleworth chairman Terry Flanagan was in playful mood, giving a typically tongue-in-cheek response to the news of the draw.

“This could be a banana skin for us,” joked the former Oldham and Great Britain loose forward. “Then again, if we want to get to Wembley then we have to get through ties like this one!”

On a more serious note, Flanagan said: “We are delighted to be going to play the former World Champions.

“They are one of the biggest names in rugby and knowing people like Frank Myler and Terry O'Connor and others, it will be an honour and a privilege to play against them.

“They have some great players — James Webster at scrum-half springs to mind — and a local lad in Gavin Dodd who all our lads know.

“We will go there in a positive frame of mind and will enjoy the day.”

Before embarking on their Vikings adventure, Saddleworth have another big cup game coming up this weekend.

Rangers travel to Ovenden in Halifax on Saturday afternoon, hoping to secure back-to-back-wins in cup competition.

Having beaten Castleford Lock Lane 20-16 at Shaw Hall Bank Lane in the second round of the Challenge Cup, the goal for coach Keith Brennan's side is now to get into the last eight of the BARLA National Cup.

Ovenden have a similar record to Lock Lane in National Conference League division two so the task is not an easy one.

Should Saddleworth make it, though, they are guaranteed a home tie in the quarter-finals against one of three sides.

That could end up being up against Oldham St Anne’s, but for that to happen Saints will need to win away at NCL premier division side Siddal this Saturday in round three, before then overcoming Thatto Heath in the last 16.