Top-flight test for Rangers in Challenge Cup

RUGBY: SADDLEWORTH Rangers face a trip to National Conference League Premier Division rivals East Hull in round one of the Challenge Cup.

Oldham St Anne’s, from Division One, are at home to top-flight Hull Dockers, while Waterhead entertain Millom (Division One) or fellow Division Two side Egremont Rangers.

The 21 Co–operative Championship clubs, including Oldham Roughyeds, will enter the competition in round three, along with French champions Lezignan, on the weekend of February 5, with the 14 Super League clubs joining the action in the fourth round on the weekend of May 7.

Preliminary round (to be played weekend of January 8):

Pool ‘A’: Oulton v Normanton, Ovenden v Rochdale Mayfield, Millom v Egremont, Eccles and Salford Juniors v Castleford Panthers, Yorkshire Cup winners (to be decided) v Drighlington, Shaw Cross v Stanley Rangers, Lancashire Cup winners (to be decided) v Seaton Rangers.

Pool ‘B’: St Albans v British Police, Loughborough University v Featherstone Lions, Northampton v Gloucester University.

First round (to be played weekend of January 22):

Pool ‘A’: East Leeds v Crosfields, East Hull v Saddleworth, Leigh East v Heworth, Fryston v Stanningley, Eccles and Salford Juniors or Castleford Panthers v Wigan St Patricks, Wigan St Judes v West Bowling, Skirlaugh v Oulton or Normanton, Wath Brow v Norland Sharks, Ovenden or Rochdale Mayfield v Lancashire Cup winners or Seaton Rangers, Yorkshire Cup winners or Drighlington v Hunslet Warriors, York Acorn v Milford, Shaw Cross or Stanningley v Widnes St Maries, Elland v Thatto Heath, Kells v Bradford Dudley Hill, Myton Warriors v Ince Rose Bridge, Siddal v Eastmoor, Oldham St Annes v Hull Dockers, Castleford Lock Lane v Halton Sims Cross, Leigh Miners Rangers v West Hull, Waterhead v Millom or Egremont.

Pool ‘B’: Loughborough or Featherstone Lions v Kippax, Northampton or Gloucestershire University v Leeds Met University, Nottingham Outlaws v RAF, Warrington Wizards v Carluke Tigers, University of Central Lancashire v Northumbria University, Edge Hill University v Hull University, The Royal Navy v St Albans or British Police, Valley Cougars v The Army.