18 replies to this topic

[maxwel]

I believe the draw for the 1st round was done today, anyone have any information?

[thestatman]

The draw for the opening rounds of the inaugural Conference Challenge Cup has been made.

35 teams were in the hat for the draw which was conducted at this week’s RFL Community Board Meeting, with National Conference League President Peter Moran and Community Board Member Damian Clayton MBE on hand to conduct the draw.

Three games complete the Preliminary Round which will be played over the weekend of April 28/29, whilst the First Round is scheduled for the middle of next month.

Hattons Solicitors National Conference League Chairman Trevor Hunt said: "This is an exciting new initiative and opportunity for those top echelon clubs who have made the switch to summer, to not only enjoy the challenge of a knock out cup competition, but to show their skills and talents to a national TV audience."

The first ever Conference Challenge Cup Final will take place on Sunday September 30 at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, as part of the Co-operative Championship Finals day. All three games from the day will be screened live on Premier Sports (Sky Channel 433).


PREMLIMINARY ROUND
April 28/29

Stanningley v Leigh Miners Rangers
West Hull v East Hull
Featherstone Lions v Wath Brow Hornets

FIRST ROUND
May 12/13

Normanton Knights v Milford Marlins
Hull Dockers v Wigan St Patricks
Oldham St Annes v Heworth
Featherstone Lions or Wath Brow Hornets v Shaw Cross Sharks
Saddleworth Rangers v Bradford Dudley Hill
Ovenden v Skirlaugh
Hunslet Warriors v West Hull or East Hull
Rochdale Mayfield v Stanley Rangers
Thatto Heath Crusaders v Eastmoor Dragons
Siddal v Dewsbury Celtic
Oulton Raiders v Waterhead
Castleford Panthers v Widnes West Bank
Elland v Askam
Wigan St Judes v Stanningley or Leigh Miners Rangers
Millom v Leigh East
Egremont Rangers v East Leeds

[thestatman]

Seems to be a few teams missing - Can't see Myton, Ince, Eccles, Cas Lock Lane, Crosfields or York Acorn in there. Any ideas why these teams are missing?

[bowes]

Looks like it's optional then if 6 sides have opted out but should be a good cup even though I'd have preferred them to include the Conference 3 sides

[Harrison's barmy army]

Why Would you opt not to be in it ??? Strange

[dys]

Yes all clubs were notified it was optional and had to let the league know about 3/4 weeks ago. Myton opted not to be in it as a few of the weekends players are on stag weekends and priority is the league.

[dys]

Was it told to clubs that this competition takes priority over NCL fixtures?

Myton Warriors game against Wath Brow has been postponed this week due to brow's tier 3 cup game been called off last week.

That means Myton's next game isnt while 19th May and their last was 21st April so it is a month without a game which is not really good this early in the season.

[Marauder]

Was it told to clubs that this competition takes priority over NCL fixtures?

Myton Warriors game against Wath Brow has been postponed this week due to brow's tier 3 cup game been called off last week.

That means Myton's next game isnt while 19th May and their last was 21st April so it is a month without a game which is not really good this early in the season.

Have the Yorkshire league started running the NCL,

[tim2]

Cups create mayhem. They are good fun if you win them but are a league admin's nightmare

[Marauder]

Cups create mayhem. They are good fun if you win them but are a league admin's nightmare

Been saying that for years Tim, too many tin pot cups.

[thestatman]

Was it told to clubs that this competition takes priority over NCL fixtures?

Myton Warriors game against Wath Brow has been postponed this week due to brow's tier 3 cup game been called off last week.

That means Myton's next game isnt while 19th May and their last was 21st April so it is a month without a game which is not really good this early in the season.

I would have thaought that was obvious really. What are they going to do - hold up the whole cup competition until there is a gap in the fixtures for a prelim round tie to be played? It is unfortunate that it happens to be Myton that Brow were playing this weekend but the issue of almost a month without a fixture wouldn't have happened had Myton entered the cup.

[dys]

Well guessing the RFL didn't really think about the event of this happening with it been a 'summer' league now.

Should Warh Brow make it to the final of the cup they would have to travel to Myton on a week night as no other time to play.

As said above Myton have players away for 3 rounds of the cup hence the reason didn't enter.

[Spidey]

There's a week put aside for backlog fixtures towards the end of the season. I really don't know what the fuss is all aboutt

[dys]

There's a week put aside for backlog fixtures towards the end of the season. I really don't know what the fuss is all aboutt

Yes that is September 15th but Myton are playing Ince that weekend as they have a backlog game from the challenge cup.

[chocolateshoulder]

Been saying that for years Tim, too many tin pot cups.

For once i agree with you marauder. Should try being in wakefield, there are 3 wakefield cups!!

When we were in the yorkshire league we had the wakey cups, yorkshire cup, national cup and senior(league) cup to contend with!

Madness!

Although, we only have this and CC to contend with but as i think statman stated the answer there was for myton to enter the cup so they had games that week. also, as Tim says, cups tend to mess up league fixtures in whatever competition you get - obviously pro competitions are different, but even then situations like this can occur

[Spidey]

Yes that is September 15th but Myton are playing Ince that weekend as they have a backlog game from the challenge cup.

I suppose that would cause issues. My advice would be to keep a track on Ince & Brow's progress in the cup then re-arrange the fixtures around them dropping out. Slight annoyance, but I'm sure a solution will come out without the need for a midweek fixture.

At least now midweek fixtures are in exceptional circumstances, not the norm that the Premier Division have endured for some time

[dinosore]

Ince Rose Bridge haven't entered the cup, so there is probably some leeway with that fixture at some point.

[Spidey]

Ince Rose Bridge haven't entered the cup, so there is probably some leeway with that fixture at some point.

Crisis averted! Shouldn't be a problem fitting in the fixture then

[dys]

Myton offered to play ince next week but ince have players away. Myton have players away in July Hence the reason it is scheduled for 15th sept.

If Brow make the semi of the cup that is 15th sept so they wouldn't be able to travel to hull then.