Challenge Cup tie to go ahead as RFL confirm replacement after Wath Brow’s late withdrawal

Round One of the Challenge Cup will go ahead with 17 fixtures as planned after the RFL confirmed a replacement following one club’s withdrawal.

Cumbrian side Wath Brow Hornets pulled out of their Round One tie against West Bowling just days prior to kick-off with the Hornets later releasing a statement citing why.

They claimed that playing a competitive match so early in the year contravened the RFL rules regarding non-contact training and that player welfare concerns had emerged.

The RFL were weighing up drafting in a late replacement for West Bowling or handing them a bye with the first option being selected as Castleford’s Cutsyke Raiders have been called up to play.

A statement from the RFL confirmed: “Cutsyke Raiders, the current leaders of the Pennine League Division One table, have accepted a late invitation to play in the 2025 Betfred Challenge Cup.

“The Castleford-based club will make the short journey to Horsfall Community Stadium this Saturday afternoon (January 11) to take on West Bowling, following the late withdrawal of Wath Brow Hornets.”

Challenge Cup Round One sees replacement team drafted in

Cutsyke accepting the late invitation means that there will be 17 games in Round One as planned with the draws for Round Two already done. The winner of the clash between West Bowling and Cutsyke will face Championship side Sheffield Eagles.

Marc Lovering, the RFL’s Director of Development, said: “We are grateful to Cutsyke Raiders for accepting this late opportunity to play in the Betfred Challenge Cup and for the help of Sue Taylor MBE in facilitating.

“Those community clubs who accepted the invite back in October to enter the Cup were granted an exemption from the usual mandated non-contact period to begin training earlier once the players had had a 4-6 week break following the end of their 2024 commitments. As a Pennine League club taking part in the winter season, Cutsyke did not need such an exemption.

“We also thank West Bowling for their co-operation. They have gone to great lengths to secure the availability of the all-weather surface of the Horsfall Community Stadium this Saturday, and have rightly pointed out that a bye through the first round would have left them with the daunting task of kicking off their season against semi-professional opposition, as the winners of this First Round tie have been drawn away to Sheffield Eagles in Round Two.

“Now that is the incentive for both West Bowling and Cutsyke, the opportunity to take on the 1998 Challenge Cup winners at the end of this month.”