Head coach Littler excited by Challenge Cup draw

Date published: 13 January 2023


Stuart Littler has admitted that he is ‘excited’ after Oldham drew Doncaster away in Round Two of the Betfred Challenge Cup.

The tie, which will take place on the weekend of February 25/26, is set to be a tasty affair with both teams pushing for promotion this year.

Said Roughyeds head coach Littler: “It’s a really good marker for us to see where we are at and one to get really excited about.

“They’re a strong team that has been there or thereabouts in the last couple of years with two finals.

"They’ve kept the majority of the team together for a couple of years and they’re coached well.

“It’s all about building towards that game now; we have a couple of friendlies coming up and the intensity in training has now ramped up to make sure we’re firing come week one.”

Doncaster have been play-off finalists for two years running now, and have added in experience as they chase promotion to the Championship.

Richard Horne, the Doncaster head coach, has brought in Matt James from Sheffield Eagles; Brett Ferres from Featherstone Rovers and Brad Knowles from Halifax Panthers, to name but a few.

Full details for the fixture, including admission prices, will be confirmed in due course.

Elsewhere, Oldham's local amateur clubs also discovered their fate in the draw for both the First and Second Rounds which was broadcast live on the BBC from Wembley Stadium.

Waterhead will travel to West Bowling in the first round, and will play Lock Lane should they reach the Second Round.

Saddleworth were handed a long trip to Edinburgh Eagles, with the winners facing Thatto Heath Crusaders at home in Round Two.

Cornwall, who are entering the Challenge Cup for the first time, were handed a second round tie at home to Rochdale Mayfield.

There was another all League One clash with Rochdale Hornets drawn at home against London Skolars.

Draw in full:

First Round:

Fryston Warriors v Thornhill Trojans Featherstone Lions v Great Britain Police Skirlaugh v Wests Warriors Hull Dockers v Rhondda Outlaws London Chargers v North Herts Crusaders Doncaster Toll Bar v RAF Hammersmith Hills Hoists v Dublin City Exiles Brentwood Eels v Bedford Tigers Stanningley v Milford Royal Navy v Barrow Island West Bowling v Waterhead Westgate Common v Crosfields British Army v Ashton Bears Edinburgh Eagles v Saddleworth Rangers Wigan St Pats v Ince Rose Bridge Distington v Orrell St James Heworth v Oulton Raiders Jarrow Vikings v Myton Warriors

Second Round:

Jarrow Vikings/Myton Warriors v Leigh Miners Rangers Skirlaugh/Wests Warriors v London Chargers/North Herts Crusaders Hull Dockers/Rhondda Outlaws v Midlands Hurricanes British Army/Ashton Bears v Dewsbury Rams Fryston Warriors/Thornhill Trojans v Stanningley/Milford Workington Town v Wigan St Pats/Ince Rose Bridge Rochdale Hornets v London Skolars Distington/Orrell St James v Hammersmith Hills Hoists/Dublin City Exiles Cornwall v Rochdale Mayfield Hunslet v Heworth/Oulton Raiders Siddal v West Hull Brentwood Eels/Bedford Tigers v Wath Brow Hornets North Wales Crusaders v Royal Navy/Barrow Island Doncaster Toll Bar/RAF v York Acorn Lock Lane v West Bowling/Waterhead Featherstone Lions/Great Britain Police v Westgate Common/Crosfields Hunslet ARLFC v Pilkington Recs Doncaster v OLDHAM Edinburgh Eagles/Saddleworth Rangers v Thatto Heath Crusaders


Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.