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Challenge Cup

9 Dec 2021

Betfred Challenge Cup Round One Team Guide | Part One

Betfred Challenge Cup Round One Team Guide | Part One

Ahead of the draw for Round 1 of the 2022 Betfred Challenge Cup, which will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday 14 December live on BBC Sport, we're taking a look at all the Community and Representative teams involved in the draw.

Here is a look at the first six teams involved in the First Round:

Army

Representing the British Army, they’re one of three Armed Forces sides to be in the hat for the First Round. They play at the Military Stadium in Aldershot, the place where they kickstarted a remarkable Cup run back in 2020. Army had their most successful Challenge Cup campaign ever when they reached the Fourth Round, where they eventually became unstuck against League 1 outfit Rochdale Hornets – they were just the second military team in history to reach this stage.

Bentley

Bentley ARLFC played host to the Challenge Cup First Round draw back in 2019, and the Doncaster outfit will be looking to grow their ties with the cup further with an opening round win in January. However, their focus must be placed elsewhere too – it was recently announced that the South Yorkshire club will join the National Conference League for 2022 and beyond, a huge milestone for the club, which is testament to the hard work being put in behind the scenes. 

Bridgend Blue Bulls

Having won the Welsh Premiership a record seven times, Bridgend Blue Bulls hold the title of Wales’ most successful amateur club. Hailing from Pyle, the Blue Bulls will be looking to reach the Second Round of the Challenge Cup for the first time after defeats in 2016 & 2017, and will be Wales’ only representative in the First Round. Former dual-code Internationals Allan Bateman & John Devereux may watch closely, as the pair each had a spell at the club.

Edinburgh Eagles

The Edinburghians were the first Scottish team to enter the Challenge Cup back in 1999, and they’re Scotland’s only representative in the First Round draw this year. They’ll be adding to their already rich history of participating in the Challenge Cup, with this set to be their 12th appearance in the competition. With over ten honours to their name, their most recent success came in 2019, beating Jarrow Vikings to the North East Rugby League title after a remarkable 38-34 Golden point victory.

Ellenborough Rangers

Representing the small town of Maryport in Cumbria, Ellenborough Rangers were recently crowned Iggesund Premier Division Champions. Last season’s success will no doubt provide the players with a boost of confidence going into January, where a First Round tie in the Betfred Challenge Cup awaits!

Featherstone Lions

The West Yorkshire club are Challenge Cup regulars, with a tendency to progress past the First Round often. Impressive showings in both 2018 & 2019 saw them reach the Third Round both times, before coming unstuck against professional sides Oldham & Doncaster respectively. Featherstone Lions have a great reputation for being the starting point for a lot of Super League & International level talent – Rob Burrow, Zak Hardaker, & Tom Briscoe to name a few, all played for the club at a young age, and they’ll be hoping the next generation of talent can make it a Cup campaign to remember once again.

 

You can purchase tickets for the 2022 Betfred Challenge Cup Final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday 28 May here.