BBC Sport will kick off their coverage of the 2025 Betfred Challenge Cup in Oldham by streaming the First Round tie between Waterhead Warriors and Leigh Miners Rangers on Saturday January 11.
Both teams have a long history of nurturing outstanding Rugby League talent and are on an upward trend, having gained promotion together to the Premier Division of the National Conference League last season – in Waterhead’s case, a third successive promotion.
Kevin Sinfield, Paul Sculthorpe, Barrie McDermott and two-time Lance Todd Trophy winner Marc Sneyd are among the many players with strong links to the Peach Road club.
Leigh Miners Rangers, who were founded in 1966 reflecting the coal-mining heritage of the Lancashire town, received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service last month as a recognition of the impact they make on the lives of hundreds of children through their youth set-up with boys and girls teams from under-6s to under-16s.
They also have impressive heritage in the Challenge Cup, having twice beaten semi-professional opposition in the early rounds – winning away at Bramley in 1999, and beating Oxford in 2015.
Waterhead and Leigh Miners will go into their tie knowing that victory will earn a shot at attractive professional opposition, as the Second Round draw has already been held and the winners will host Featherstone Rovers – now one of the strongest clubs in the Betfred Championship under coach James Ford, and three times Challenge Cup winners at Wembley in 1967, 1973 and 1983.
The Second Round ties will be played on the weekend of January 25-26, with BBC Sport to confirm their selection early in the New Year – when details of further broadcast coverage will also be confirmed.
Betfred Challenge Cup Round One:
Saturday January 11
- Waterhead Warriors v Leigh Miners Rangers – 1230pm, live on BBC Sport
- West Hull v Edinburgh Eagles – 2pm
- Dewsbury Moor v Haresfinch - 2pm
- London Chargers v Oulton Raiders – 230pm @ Chiswick RFC
- Longhorns v Ince Rose Bridge – 230pm @ Ince Rose Bridge
- Lock Lane v Doncaster Toll Bar – 2pm
- Hammersmith Hills Hoists v Siddal – 5pm @ Chiswick RFC
- Mirfield v Royal Navy – 2pm
- Crosfields v Maryport – 2pm
- British Army v RAF – 2pm @ Aldershot
- Stanley Rangers v Hunslet ARLFC – 2pm
- Rochdale Mayfield v Telford Raiders – 2pm
- Thatto Heath Crusaders v Orrell St James – 2pm
- West Bowling v Wath Brow Hornets - 2pm
Sunday January 12
- GB Police v York Acorn – 130pm @ Portico Panthers
- Aberavon Fighting Irish v Blackbrook – 130pm @ Aberavon Green Stars RFC
- Eastern Rhinos v Wests Warriors - 230 pm @ Colchester Sports Park
Betfred Challenge Cup Round Two – ties to be played on weekend of January 25-26:
- GB Police or York Acorn v London Chargers or Oulton Raiders
- Halifax Panthers v Thatto Heath or Orrell St James
- Dewsbury Moor or Haresfinch v Dewsbury Rams
- Barrow Raiders v Crosfields or Maryport
- Mirfield or Royal Navy v Workington Town
- London Broncos v Goole Vikings
- Lock Lane or Doncaster Toll Bar v Hunslet RLFC
- Waterhead Warriors or Leigh Miners v Featherstone Rovers
- Eastern Rhinos or Wests Warriors v British Army or RAF
- Whitehaven v Swinton Lions (confirmed Saturday Jan 25, 3pm)
- Stanley Rangers or Hunslet ARLFC v West Hull or Edinburgh Eagles
- Rochdale Hornets v Widnes Vikings (confirmed Sunday Jan 26, 3pm)
- Oldham v Rochdale Mayfield or Telford Raiders
- Keighley Cougars v York Knights (confirmed Sunday Feb 2, 3pm)
- Sheffield Eagles v West Bowling or Wath Brow
- Bradford Bulls v Doncaster
- Aberavon Fighting Irish or Blackbrook v Longhorns or Ince Rose Bridge
- Midlands Hurricanes v Hammersmith or Siddal
- Cornwall v North Wales Crusaders (confirmed Sunday Jan 26, 1pm)
- Newcastle Thunder v Batley Bulldogs
