Valley Cougars to travel to Leeds in the Challenge Cup

Valley Cougars are facing a tough draw in the first round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup after they were given an away tie at Hunslet Club Parkside from Leeds when the draw was made on BBC Online on Monday evening.

It’s the third season in a row that a Welsh club has been drawn away in round one and this is arguably one the most difficult ties that the Welsh Champions could have had. Their opponents won the 2017 Challenge Trophy, the knockout competition for community clubs in the UK, beating Wigan St Patricks 22-0 in the Final.

The Cougars qualified for the Challenge Cup first round after winning the 2017 Welsh Premier League Grand Final, beating Torfaen Tigers 32-18 in Cardiff in August.

Valley Cougars coach Dafydd Hellard said: “I think any fixture in the Challenge Cup was going to be a tough one.

“We were hoping for a home game in the draw but we’ve got a pretty long trip up to Leeds to look forward to.

“I think Hunslet Parkside will be a tough opposition they’ve had a great couple of years being promoted as their divisional champions for three years on the bounce and at home they will be tough for anyone to break down.

“We’ve got a great sense of belief in this squad though and we were looking forward to taking on anyone, we’re going into the game full of confidence after finishing our season undefeated and can’t wait to get back on the field.

“I think this game will give us the opportunity to measure how far we’ve come as a side and we’re excited to get stuck into them in the new year. I’m sure we’ll have a great following for the match as we always do and hopefully we get a full bus of supporters following us up.”

The Challenge Cup first-round draw in full…

Leigh Miners Rangers v Myton Warriors

Underbank Rangers v Batley Boys

Kells v British Police

Wallsend Eagles v Pilkington Recs

Rochdale Mayfield v Crosfields

Lock Lane v Hindley

Hunslet Club Parkside v Valley Cougars

London Chargers v Hammersmith Hills Hoists

Royal Air Force v Drighlington

Oulton Raiders v Siddal

Millom v Strathmore Silverbacks

Loughborough University v Bradford Dudley Hill

University of Hull v Hensingham

Orrell St James v Northampton Demons

Royal Navy v Normanton Knights

York Acorn v Askam

Saddleworth Rangers v Thatto Heath Crusaders

Shaw Cross Sharks v Beverley

West Hull v Longhorns RL

East Leeds v Thornhill Trojans

Hunslet Warriors v Wath Brow Hornets

Featherstone Lions v Skirlaugh

British Army v Milford Marlins

Distington v Queens

All matches will be played across 27/28 January 2018.