Both North Wales Crusaders’ sides landed home draws against Super League clubs in the Betfred Challenge Cups after the draws were made today at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, Wakefield.
In the first round of the Wheelchair Challenge Cup, the Crusaders will take on Wigan Warriors, who could field one of their former players in Mark Williams. Their men’s side will host Leigh Leopards in the third round of their cup if they can overcome Bedford Tigers in the second round.
Aberavon Fighting Irish, who did well to win in Northern Ireland yesterday following a near 24-hour round-trip, travel to Midlands Hurricanes in the second round of the men’s cup, and if they win that tie, they’ll travel further north to either Heworth, the RAF or Keighley Cougars.
Meanwhile, in the Women’s Challenge Cup, Cardiff Demons will face Wigan Warriors for the third year in a row after being drawn against them and Featherstone Rovers in the group stages.
The men’s matches will take place on the weekend of February 6-8, the wheelchair games will take place on a March date TBC and the women’s matches will be played in April.
Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup First Round draw:
- Halifax Panthers v Batley Bulldogs
- Hull FC v Gravesend
- London Roosters v Wakefield Trinity
- Sheffield Eagles v Midlands Hurricanes
- North Wales Crusaders v Wigan Warriors
- Rochdale v Edinburgh Giants
- York Knights v Leeds Rhinos
- Castleford Tigers v Bradford Bulls
Betfred men’s Challenge Cup Third Round draw:
- Rochdale Mayfield / Ince Rose Bridge OR Swinton Lions vs Wakefield Trinity
- Thatto Heath OR Widnes Vikings vs Leeds Rhinos
- Wigan St Judes / Leigh Miners OR Barrow Raiders vs York Knights
- Batley Bulldogs OR Hunslet ARLFC vs Catalans Dragons
- North Wales Crusaders OR Bedford Tigers vs Leigh Leopards
- Castleford Lock Lane OR Brighouse vs Hull KR
- Blackbrook OR Workington Town vs St Helens
- Siddal / Waterhead OR Rochdale vs Wigan Warriors
- London Broncos OR Wests Warriors vs Bradford Bulls
- Sheffield Eagles OR Whitehaven vs Warrington Wolves
- Hammersmith Hills Hoists OR Salford RLFC vs Hull FC
- Stanningley / Dewsbury Moor OR Hunslet vs Huddersfield Giants
- Doncaster OR Newcastle Thunder vs Castleford Tigers
- Halifax OR Telford Raiders / London Chargers vs Woodhouse Warriors / Mirfield OR Goole Vikings
- Oldham OR Orrell St James vs Dewsbury Rams OR King Cross Park / West Hull
- Heworth / RAF OR Keighley Cougars vs Midlands Hurricanes / Aberavon Fighting Irish
Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup – Group stage draw
- Group A – St Helens, Catalans Dragons, Huddersfield Giants
- Group B – Leeds Rhinos, London Broncos, Leigh Leopards
- Group C – Wigan Warriors, Cardiff Demons, Featherstone Rovers
- Group D – York Valkyrie, Barrow Raiders
