The Road to Wembley continues, with the remaining Men’s Betfred Challenge Cup Round One fixtures taking place this weekend.
Only three First Round ties managed to beat the wintry weather conditions last weekend, with Blackbrook of St Helens, Wests Warriors of London and Siddal of Halifax booking their places in Round Two of the competition.
This Saturday, BBC Sport will begin its coverage of the Challenge Cup for 2025, with Waterhead’s rearranged tie against Leigh Miners Rangers (K.O. 12.30pm)
Both teams are on an upward trend, having gained promotion together to the Premier Division of the National Conference League last season, and in Waterhead’s case, a third successive promotion.
And then, on Sunday (19 January), The Sportsman will show Thatto Heath’s blood and thunder battle against Orrell St James (K.O. 2pm).
Mirfield and Telford Raiders are also two teams making their Challenge Cup debut on Saturday - a historic moment for both clubs and their supporters.
In total, 34 community sides entered the competition for Round One. And teams have already learned who they will face in both the Second and Third Round draw if they are victorious.
Click here for details of the Third Round Draw.
This year, the 12 Super League clubs have joined the Road to Wembley at the Third Round stage, meaning clubs from the Betfred Championship, League One and even the community game will have more chance to secure a glamour tie at home to Super League opposition.
And - regardless of results in the First and Second Rounds - four community clubs are guaranteed to feature in Round Three of the Challenge Cup, where the magic of the competition is encapsulated.
Here are three of the top ties to look out for in Round One:
British Army v British RAF
This all-Forces match is one of the highlight fixtures of the First Round, with the RAF, who are reigning Inter Services champions, travelling to face their Army rivals, who are looking to hit the ground running in 2025.
In September, the RAF sealed a first Inter Services triumph in eight years with a 24-12 win over the Army in Wakefield.
Who will progress to the Second Round? Make sure you tune in to watch on the British Forces Broadcasting YouTube channel.
Thatto Heath v Orrell St James
It’s a fierce St Helens v Wigan derby of sorts, where both teams have enjoyed decent cup runs in recent seasons.
Thatto have a history of springing upsets in the Challenge Cup, most recently beating North Wales Crusaders in 2019 and making it all the way to the Fifth Round, while Orrell St James have also featured in some memorable early-round matches.
The contest will be a replay of the 2024 BARLA National Cup Final, which Thatto Heath claimed the honours by the scoreline of 24-8.
If local bragging rights weren’t enough, the stakes have been raised even higher, with a trip to Betfred Championship’s Halifax Panthers next up for the winners…
With a bumper crowd expected, who will come out on top?
Stanley Rangers v Hunslet ARLFC
Stanley Rangers head into their first game as massive underdogs but will be relishing the chance to host the NCL’s three-peat champions Hunslet ARLFC.
The Rangers are making a Challenge Cup comeback for the first time since 2012, while Hunslet have made it to the Third Round in the past two seasons.
Hunslet will be aiming to equal this run in 2025, especially with there being the chance of hosting Super League opposition in Round Three. They played Wakefield Trinity at this stage last year, so will be hopeful of achieving another huge tie.
Betfred Challenge Cup remaining Round One fixtures:
- Waterhead Warriors v Leigh Miners Rangers - Saturday 18 January, K.O. 12.30pm
- West Hull v Edinburgh Eagles - Saturday 18 January, K.O. 2pm
- Dewsbury Moor v Haresfinch - Saturday 18 January, K.O. 2pm
- London Chargers v Oulton Raiders - Saturday 18 January, K.O. 2.30pm
- Longhorns v Ince Rose Bridge - Saturday 18 January, K.O. 2pm
- Lock Lane v Doncaster Toll Bar - Saturday 18 January, K.O. 2.30pm
- Mirfield v Royal Navy - Saturday 18 January, K.O. 2pm
- Crosfields v Maryport - Saturday 18 January, K.O. 2pm
- British Army v RAF - Saturday 18 January, K.O. 2pm
- Stanley Rangers v Hunslet ARLFC - Saturday 18 January, K.O. 2pm
- Rochdale Mayfield v Telford Raiders - Saturday 18 January, K.O. 1.30pm
- Thatto Heath Crusaders v Orrell St James - Sunday 18 January, K.O. 2pm
- West Bowling v Cutsyke Raiders - Saturday 18 January, K.O. 2pm
- GB Police v York Acorn - Sunday 19 January, K.O. 1.30pm
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
- Wests Warriors v British Army or RAF
- Whitehaven v Swinton Lions
- Stanley Rangers or Hunslet ARLFC v West Hull or Edinburgh Eagles
- Rochdale Hornets v Widnes Vikings
- Oldham v Rochdale Mayfield or Telford Raiders
- Keighley Cougars v York Knights
- Sheffield Eagles v West Bowling or Cutsyke Raiders
- Bradford Bulls v Doncaster
- Blackbrook v Longhorns or Ince Rose Bridge
- Midlands Hurricanes v Siddal
- Cornwall v North Wales Crusaders
- Newcastle Thunder v Batley Bulldogs
Saturday 7 June is Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day 2025 – also including the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final, AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final, and RFL Champion Schools Year 7 Boys Final. Tickets are on sale now!
