Three all League 1 ties in Challenge Cup third round draw

Drew Darbyshire

There are three all League 1 ties in the third round of the Challenge Cup.

Coventry Bears were handed a tough away tie at Doncaster by two of the city’s local sporting heroes when the third round draw was held at St Mary’s Guildhall on Monday night.

Kare Adenegan, an 18-year-old Paralympian world record holder, joined middle distance legend David Moorcroft OBE as Coventry hosted the draw as part of its year as the European City of Sport in 2019.

Coventry also celebrate its recent success in securing a fixture in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup – when Coventry will be the UK’s next City of Culture.

In the other League 1 ties, West Wales Raiders face a long journey to play Newcastle Thunder, while London Skolars will welcome North Wales Crusaders.

Four amateur clubs are guaranteed to reach the fourth round, when the Championship clubs enter the competition.

Thatto Heath Crusaders take on Rochdale Mayfield; Wigan St Judes will play Lock Lane; York Acorn will play Featherstone Lions; and West Hull will host Dewsbury Moor.

The Challenge Cup third round ties will be played on the weekend of March 9-10.

Challenge Cup third round draw in full:

Keighley Cougars v Distington

Oldham v Haydock

Thatto Heath Crusaders v Rochdale Mayfield

Wigan St Judes v Lock Lane

Newcastle Thunder v West Wales Raiders

London Skolars v North Wales Crusaders

Hunslet v West Bowling

Workington Town v Siddal

York Acorn v Featherstone Lions

West Hull v Dewsbury Moor

Doncaster v Coventry Bears

Whitehaven v Wigan St Patricks