Challenge Cup latest as freezing conditions wreak havoc on schedule

Freezing conditions have played havoc with this weekend’s opening Challenge Cup round, but a handful of ties are expected to go ahead.

The 2025 rugby league season will officially begin on Saturday, but 11 first round matches in the knockout competition have already been postponed – including two which were selected for live streaming.

Those ties – all in the north of England – have been rearranged for next weekend. Another is subject to a pitch inspection and five games in Wales and the south are set to go ahead as scheduled.

Saturday’s Cup fixtures at Waterhead (v Leigh Miners Rangers), Crosfields (v Maryport), Dewsbury Moor (v Haresfinch), Lock Lane (v Doncaster Toll Bar), Mirfield (v Royal Navy), Stanley Rangers (v Hunslet ARLFC), Rochdale Mayfield (v Telford Raiders), West Bowling (v Cutsyke Raiders) and West Hull (v Edinburgh Eagles) have been put back a week, to January 18.

The rearranged game at Waterhead will be streamed live by the BBC. The Sportsman will now show Thatto Heath’s home tie against Orrell St James on Sunday, January 19 – eight days later than  initially scheduled.

GB Police’s home tie against York Acorn, which was due to be played on Sunday at Portico Vine ARLFC in St Helens, has been delayed for seven days.

Ince Rose Bridge’s Saturday showdown with Irish side Longhorns RL remains on at this stage, but is subject to a pitch inspection.

However, the double-header at Chiswick RUFC on Saturday, with London Chargers facing Oulton Raiders at 2.30pm and Hammersmith Hills Hoists taking on Leeds Rhinos star Jake Connor’s Siddal at 5.30pm, is expected to be played as scheduled.

The same applies to British Army’s military derby with RAF at Aldershot – which will be shown live on British Forces Broadcasting – as well as Sunday’s ties between Eastern Rhinos and Wests Warriors in Colchester and Welsh champions Aberavon Fighting Irish at home to Blackbrook, from St Helens.

This year is the second time Aberavon have featured in the Challenge Cup and coach Dean Scully is delighted the tie has been given the green light.

“We’re all really looking forward to this week’s game,” he said. “There has been a bit of a buzz forming around the town, especially between the players.

“It’s not every year you get to play in the Challenge Cup and it’s been a long time since the Fighting Irish took part.”

Scully described the mood in Aberavon’s camp as “both excited and nervous”. He added: “It will be the first time we have played as a group since last year’s Conference Grand Final.

“We go in as the underdogs and know the enormity of a one-off game against a team I have heard lots about, but it will be a good benchmark for how far the level of the Welsh Conference has improved.

“We have a relatively young squad and are missing a few key players due to injury and rugby union commitments, but I know we will come with a committed and passionate group of players that will not stop until the final whistle.

“Blackbrook will travel down on a cold January morning and if we hit the ground running, who knows what can happen from there, maybe even a huge scalp?”

The second round, which has already been drawn and includes Championship and League One clubs, is due to be played on the weekend of January 25/26, with the third stage taking place two weeks later.

The round three draw – featuring all 12 Super League clubs – will be made next Tuesday.