Rugby, Australian Football: Powergen Challenge Cup 1st round draw

The first round draw for the Powergen Challenge Cup has thrown up a London derby, with South London Storm taking on West London Sharks.

West Yorkshire amateurs Sharlston Rovers, who caused the big upset in last year's competition by knocking out professional opposition in Dewsbury, have been handed an away tie against National League Three club Warrington Wizzards.

Teams from National League One and Two enter at the third-round stage, along with representatives of France and Russia, with the Super League teams playing their first matches in the fourth round in April.

The tournament reaches a climax at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, August 27.

The ties, to be played on the weekend of February 4-5, are:

Wigan St Patrick's v Hensingham, West Bowling v Leigh East, Oldham St Annes v Loughborough University, Wigan St Judes v Embassy, Royal Navy v Normanton, Stanningley v Walney Central, Halton Sims Cross v Widnes St Maries, Blackbrook v Oulton Raiders, Castleford Panthers v East Hull, Haydock v Cutsyke, Hull Dockers v Bradford Dudley Hill, Illingworth v Stanley Rangers, Gateshead Storm v Wath Brow Hornets, West Hull v Army.

Westgate Redboubt v Eccles and Salford Juniors, Essex Eels v Elland, Barrow Island v Skirlaugh, Siddal v Coventry, Clayton v Leigh Minors Rangers, Waterhead v Askam, Queens v Millom, South London Storm v West London Sharks, Milford v Huddersfield Underbank, Bramley v Thornhill, St Albans v Thatto Heath, Royal Air Force v Castleford Lock Lane, Warrington Wizzards v Sharlston.

Rochdale Mayfield bye.

Sportinglife