The enduring appeal of Rugby League’s oldest and most prestigious competition, the Tetley’s Challenge Cup was highlighted on Wednesday night (January 8) when the first round draw was conducted live on BBC radio.
Forty four clubs will begin the journey that concludes with the final at Wembley on Saturday August 23 when they contest an compelling first round over the weekend of February 1-2.
The tie that demonstrates the sport’s national growth is the pairing between South West London Chargers, the 2013 London Premier League winners, and Torfaen Tigers, the Welsh champions who will travel to the English capital in confident mood.
Scottish champions Aberdeen Warriors face a tough tie at St Helens-based Pilkington Recs whilst Bristol Sonics also have a long trip with a match at Hull Dockers.
Two of the Armed Forces teams have home ties with the RAF hosting Dewsbury Celtic and the Royal Navy playing host to Cumbrians Walney Central.
The British Army have an away tie at Cumbrian club Askam whilst Great Britain Police travel to the Midlands to play student side Loughborough University.
National Conference League champions West Hull have a trip to Oulton Raiders in a draw which produced some intriguing derbies, including Myton Warriors v East Hull and Castleford Lock Lane v Normanton Knights.
The draw was made live on BBC Radio Humberside by Hull FC prop Chris Green and Shaun Briscoe, the former Hull FC and Hull KR full-back who is now fulfilling a development role at Craven Park.
The 2014 Tetley’s Challenge Cup first round draw in full is as follows:
Underbank Rangers v East Leeds
Leeds Metropolitan University v Millom
Blackbrook v Egremont Rangers
Shaw Cross v Thatto Heath
Leigh Miners v Hunslet Warriors
Oulton Raiders v West Hull
Saddleworth Rangers v Milford Marlins
Kells v Wigan St Judes
Skirlaugh v Rochdale Mayfield
RAF v Dewsbury Celtic
Askam v British Army
Royal Navy v Walney Central
Myton Warriors v East Hull
Loughborough University v Great Britain Police
South West London Chargers v Torfaen Tigers
Widnes St Maries v Wigan St Pats
Pilkington Recs v Aberdeen Warriors
York Acorn v Siddal
Wath Brow Hornets v Halton Simms Cross
Woolston Rovers v Elland
Lock Lane v Normanton Knights
Hull Dockers v Bristol Sonics
Ties to be played over the weekend of February 1 and 2, 2014
