It’s another huge weekend for community clubs in the Betfred Challenge Cup – and at this stage, it looks like the sudden burst of wintry weather won’t cause too much disruption.
Rochdale Mayfield took the honours in the Second Round last month, making the long journey to Cornwall RLFC and returning with a victory over the Betfred League One club after a thrilling tie which was streamed on BBC Sport – and they are one of a dozen community clubs in this weekend’s Third Round.
At least two community clubs are guaranteed to be included in the Fourth Round draw – which will be held at Millom RLFC next Wednesday night, and again broadcast live on BBC Sport from 6pm – with Mayfield drawn against their old NCL rivals Leigh Miners Rangers, and Westgate Common of the Yorkshire Men’s League hosting Hunslet ARLFC, the club formed during the winter from the merger of Hunslet Warriors and NCL champions Hunslet Club Parkside.
The Southern Conference League champions Wests Warriors have enjoyed unprecedented publicity after receiving a dream draw against Widnes Vikings, while the NCL trip of Siddal, Stanningley and Thatto Heath Crusaders each have home advantage against professional opposition – Sheffield Eagles, Newcastle Thunder and North Wales Crusaders respectively, with the all-Crusaders tie between Thatto and North Wales selected as BBC Sport’s feature match on Sunday.
The Siddal-Sheffield tie will also be played on Sunday, with the clubs agreeing to postpone it by 24 hours because Siddal’s Chevinedge ground has been at the centre of the worst weather.
For York Acorn and West Bowling, there’s a trip to contrasting stadia to relish – Acorn take on Bradford Bulls at Odsal, while Bowling make the reverse journey to face York Knights in the LNER Community Stadium.
