1 Dec 2023
Leigh Leopard Josh Charnley to conduct Round 1 & 2 Betfred Challenge Cup Draws
The draws for rounds 1 and 2 of the 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup will be made live on BBC Radio Manchester at 6.40pm on Tuesday 5 December.
20 clubs from the community and Armed Forces will be in the hat for Round 1, which takes place on the weekend of 13/14 January. The winners of the 10 Round 1 ties will be joined at Round 2 by 10 clubs from the National Conference League, with ties held over the weekend of 27/28 January.
Josh Charnley, from cup holders Leigh Leopards, will conduct both draws in the company of Radio Manchester’s regular Rugby League broadcaster Trevor Hunt, a lifelong supporter of the community game who in January will become Vice-President of the RFL.
Among the teams to look out for in Round 1 are 2023 North West Men’s League Champions Orrell St James and reigning Yorkshire Men’s League Champions Newsome Panthers, plus Medway Dragons from Kent and the South Wales Jets who are among those entering the competition for the very first time.
Round 1 ball numbers
1. Ashton Bears (North West)
2. British Army (Armed Forces)
3. Clock Face Miners (NCL Division One)
4. Doncaster Toll Bar (Yorkshire)
5. Edinburgh Eagles (Scotland)
6. Fryston Warriors (Yorkshire)
7. Hammersmith Hills Hoists (Southern Conference League)
8. Haresfinch (BARLA)
9. Heworth (NCL Premier Division)
10. Lowca (CARLA)
11. Medway Dragons (Harry Jepson Trophy)
12. Newsome Panthers (Yorkshire)
13. Orrell St James (North West)
14. Oulton Raiders (NCL Division One)
15. Royal Air Force (Armed Forces)
16. Royal Navy (Armed Forces)
17. South Wales Jets (Wales)
18. Stanningley (NCL Division One)
19. West Bowling (NCL Premier Division)
20. Wests Warriors (Southern Conference League)
The draw for Round 2 will consist of a number of either/or ties dependent on Round 1 outcomes. Among the NCL clubs joining the competition at this stage are Rochdale Mayfield, who last year defeated semi-professional Cornwall in Round 1 and were only narrowly beaten by Championship side Newcastle Thunder in Round 3.
Round 2 ball numbers
1. Winner of R1 tie 1
2. Winner of R1 tie 2
3. Winner of R1 tie 3
4. Winner of R1 tie 4
5. Winner of R1 tie 5
6. Winner of R1 tie 6
7. Winner of R1 tie 7
8. Winner of R1 tie 8
9. Winner of R1 tie 9
10. Winner of R1 tie 10
11. Hull Dockers (NCL Division One)
12. Hunslet ARLFC (NCL Premier Division)
13. Leigh Miners Rangers (NCL Division One)
14. Lock Lane (NCL Premier Division)
15. Rochdale Mayfield (NCL Premier Division)
16. Siddal (NCL Premier Division)
17. Thatto Heath Crusaders (NCL Premier Division)
18. Wath Brow Hornets (NCL Premier Division)
19. West Hull (NCL Premier Division)
20. York Acorn (NCL Premier Division)
BBC Sport will select one tie from each of the rounds, which will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app.
The 10 Round 2 winners be joined at Round 3 by 22 semi-professional clubs from the Betfred Championship and Betfred League One, fixtures taking place over the weekend of 10/11 February.
The Men’s 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup is part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June, alongside the final of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup. Tickets are available online from only £15 Adults and £7.50 Under 16s, with family packages also available starting from just £18.75 for one Adult and two Under 16s. Get yours here!
