Wath Brow Hornets are among a clutch of amateur sides who will be testing themselves against professional opposition this weekend.
The Hornets make the trip to Batley Bulldogs on Sunday for the third round of the Challenge Cup.
Ian Rooney’s men reached this stage of the competition with a convincing win in Essex against Brentwood Eels.
Batley have won two of their five Championship games so far, but included among their losses was a home defeat by Swinton Lions.
Hornets, who will take a sizeable number of supporters with them, have always given a good account of themselves in previous Challenge Cup adventures and won’t be overawed.
Because of their involvement in the Challenge Cup, Wath Brow’s scheduled National Conference Premier Division game with Kells has been postponed. Indeed only one fixture goes ahead in the top flight with so many clubs still involved in the Challenge Cup – Hull Dockers v West Hull.
Egremont Rangers were disappointed to start their Division One campaign with a 30-22 defeat at Pilkington Recs last week and are extra keen to get their season up and running tomorrow when they entertain Thornhill Trojans at Gillfoot.
Thornhill were relegated along with Egremont and Pilkington last season and they also started with a defeat, beaten 36-22 at home by Clock Face.
Barrow Island lost their opener at Woolston Rovers 24-16 and tomorrow have a home game against Wigan St Jude’s.
Last week’s game for St. Jude’s at home to Shaw Cross Sharks was abandoned after 34 minutes after a neck injury to their young second rower Callum Palmer, which fortunately wasn’t as serious as was first thought. That game will be re-staged at a later date.
In Division Three the four Cumbrian sides are involved in two county derby games. Ellenborough entertain Hensingham while Millom host Seaton.
Elbra started in superb fashion last week as they beat Seaton 60-6 in the only game at that level. Seaton will be looking to do better down at Millom.
