Community clubs return to Challenge Cup spotlight this weekend

This weekend, community clubs will make their comeback to the Challenge Cup stage after a year out of the spotlight.

While most leagues were able to carry on, they could not enter the Challenge Cup in 2021, given no team had seen competitive action since March 2020 when the date came around.

However, this year sees community clubs given the chance to shine in the Challenge Cup spotlight once again.

The action starts on Friday night in Wales. Bridgend Blue Bulls welcome the Royal Navy, for a 7pm kick-off.

Most of the action takes place on Saturday. Orrell St James open the day, as they welcome the Army, with kick-off at 12.30pm at the North West side. The match will also be live on the BBC, the first match to be shown at this stage since Skirlaugh’s 8-6 win over Hunslet Club Parkside in 2020.

London Chargers then welcome Cumbrian side Ellenborough at 1pm, before West Hull, Thornhill and Edinburgh take to the field at 1.30pm against Upton, RAF and York Acorn respectively.

While at 2pm, there are four games scheduled. Featherstone Lions host Hunslet Club Parkside, Siddal host GB Police, North East champions Jarrow face Southern champions Wests Warriors, and Lock Lane welcome NCL champions Thatto Heath.

An intriguing battle between Rochdale Mayfield and Wigan St Patricks follows at 2.15pm before Galway take on Pilkington Recs at 2.30pm. Leigh Miners also welcome Milford at the same time.

The action then concludes on Sunday with an all-Yorkshire clash between Bentley and Stanningley. The match will broadcast live on OuRLeague.

Full Challenge Cup First Round Schedule

Friday 14th January

Bridgend v Navy (7pm)

Saturday 15th January

Orrell St James v Army (12.30pm) (Live on BBC)

London Chargers v Ellenborough (1pm)

West Hull v Upton (1.30pm)

Thornhill v RAF (1.30pm)

Edinburgh v York Acorn (1.30pm)

Featherstone Lions v Hunslet Club Parkside (2pm)

Siddal v GB Police (2pm)

Lock Lane v Thatto Heath (2pm)

Jarrow v Wests Warriors (2pm)

Rochdale Mayfield v Wigan St Patricks (2.15pm)

Leigh Miners v Milford (2.30pm)

Galway v Pilkington Recs (at Pilkington Recs) (2.30pm)

Sunday 16th January

Bentley v Stanningley (2pm) (Live on OuRLeague)

Read More: Our League confirm round one Challenge Cup coverage