RFL left red-faced by draw mishap
The Challenge Cup third round draw in Gateshead had to be re-done after an error resulted in the same team being drawn twice.
In front of a small gathering of people at the Metro Centre, a ball drawn from Pool B was accidentally put back in to the bag rather than on public display.
This ball was later re-drawn, making the draw void. The draw was re-done in front of the public after the error was spotted immediately.
Unfortunately, it added to the problems surrounding the broadcast of the draw. In another innovative move, the RFL provided a live stream of the draw to users of their website. However, users complained that they either couldn’t get a picture and there were widespread problems with sound, meaning many fans were left unaware of the draw up to an hour after it was made.
At the second time of asking, Leeds Metropolitan University landed a trip to Championship side Batley while amateur side Wigan St Judes travel to former cup kings Widnes.
The draw produced some intriguing pairings, including a match between the Royal Navy and Blackpool Panthers, winners of last year’s inaugural Northern Rail 9s, and a derby battle between the professionals of Halifax RLFC and community club Ovenden.
Blackwood Bulldogs, the Welsh champions, face a trip to Oldham, Keighley Cougars have again drawn French opposition in Co-operative Championship side Toulouse Olympique, in one of three all-professional ties. The other two are Gateshead Thunder v York City Knights and Featherstone Rovers v Workington Town.
The draw for the third round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup in full is as follows:
Widnes Vikings v Wigan St Judes
Oldham v Blackwood Bulldogs
Gateshead Thunder v York City Knights
London Skolars v Limoux
Doncaster v Siddal
Rochdale Hornets v Lezignan
Drighlington v Dewsbury Rams
Batley Bulldogs v Leeds Metropolitan University
Royal Navy v Blackpool Panthers
Featherstone Rovers v Workington Town
Warrington Wizards v Swinton Lions
Leigh Miners Rangers v Whitehaven
Sheffield Eagles v Thatto Heath
Ovenden v Halifax
Barrow Raiders v Hunslet Warriors
Keighley Cougars v Toulouse Olympique
Leigh East v Hunslet Hawks
Leigh Centurions v Wath Brow Hornets
Ties to be played over the weekend of March 6 and 7.
