The Professional UK season may not start for another five weeks but before St Helens and Leeds Rhinos get us underway on 9th February we will have a full round of the Challenge Cup taken place.
The draw for the first round of the 2017 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup took place this evening (Thursday, January 5) at The Deep in Hull.
Conducting the draw was 2016 winning coach with Hull FC, Lee Radford who was picking the home balls. Away teams were drawn by RFL President, Air Commodore Dean Andrew.
Thirty-two clubs representing the community game, Armed Forces, police and University Rugby League were drawn against each other and will play their ties over the weekend of January 28 โ 29.
2017 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup first round draw in full is as follows:
University of Hull v Rochdale Mayfield
West Bowling v Kells
Featherstone Lions v Distington
London Chargers v Bridgend Blue Bulls
Leigh Miners Rangers v Wigan St Patricks
Royal Air Force v York Acorn
Wath Brow Hornets v Haydock
Fryston Warriors v Normanton Knights
Royal Navy v Myton Warriors
Siddal v Milford Marlins
Egremont Rangers v The Army
Wests Warriors v Great Britain Police
Thatto Heath Crusaders v Skirlaugh
West Hull v Hull Dockers
Thornhill Trojans v Lock Lane
Aberdeen Warriors v Pilkington Recs