The draw for the second round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup has been completed on board HMS Illustrious with the Royal Navy landing an exciting home tie against Conference Premier side Leigh Miners Rangers.
This tie will be played on the Royal Navy’s home ground in Portsmouth and elsewhere the RAF are away at Conference Premier side East Hull and the British Army travel to Oulton Raiders who also play in the Conference Premier.
Last season’s NCL Premier champions Thatto Heath will host Millom while 2011 Rugby League Conference National champions Huddersfield Underbank Rangers host Wath Brow Hornets.
The draw took place in the hangar of HMS Illustrious, the Royal Navy’s High Readiness Helicopter and Commando Carrier, whilst at sea off the North Coast of the UK.
Steve McNamara and the Challenge Cup Trophy were flown out to the ship by an RAF Sea King helicopter based at RAF Boulmer.
The draw took place in the Ship’s hangar, with one of the Army’s Apache Strike Helicopters forming an impressive backdrop.
The home teams were drawn by the Commanding Officer of HMS Illustrious, Captain Martin Connell and the away balls were drawn by England Head Coach Steve McNamara.
The second round ties will be played on the weekend of March 10 and 11.
The Carnegie Challenge Cup second round draw is as follows:
East Hull v RAF
Siddal v West Hull
Hull Dockers v Kells
Oulton Raiders v British Army
Royal Navy v Leigh Miners Rangers
Hunslet Warriors v Wigan St Patricks
Huddersfield Underbank Rangers v Wath Brow Hornets
Thatto Heath v Millom
York Acorn v Skirlaugh
Hunslet Old Boys v Blackbrook
Saddleworth Raiders v Myton Warriors
Egremont Rangers v Ince Rose Bridge
Leigh East v Bradford Dudley Hill
Sharlston Rovers v Wigan St Cuthberts
For more information about the Carnegie Challenge Cup visit: www.carnegiechallengecup.co.uk