LOCK LANE head coach Brad Roberts has explained the decision to take their Challenge Cup game to Hull KR rather than Castleford Tigers, a mile down the road.
Lock Lane defeated Brighouse in the first round of the competition, with Featherstone Rovers’ exit meaning a bye to the third round.
From that, the West Yorkshire minnows earned a dream tie against Challenge Cup holders Hull KR.
The third round sees all Super League sides seeded away from home, but Lock Lane opted to play the game at Craven Park.
And now Roberts, speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, has explained why.
“It’s massive, it’s going to set us up for years to come, which is a massive thing for us,” Roberts said.
“I know that’s probably what is on a lot of people’s minds in terms of what we’re getting out of it but for the lads, it’s not about that. It’s about experiencing the day and it’s probably a day that they’re never going to experience again in their lives.”
Roberts also revealed that Lock Lane turned down an offer from Castleford to play at The Jungle.
“First of all, money is a big thing and Hull KR tabled a really good offer.
“Castleford did as well to be honest but on the flip side, we put it to the lads and it was unanimous.”
“I think out of the 19-man squad that we’ve got available, 17 or 18 of them have probably already played at Cas and I can’t say that even three or four of them have played at Hull KR.
“It’s a brand new experience for them all and everyone speaks about the money but it was the lad’s decision and they chose Hull KR.
“That’s personally what I wanted to do, to experience something new.”