The draw for the first knock-out round of the 2013 Northern Rail Cup has been made and will see current Cup holders Halifax begin the defence of their title away to Dewsbury Rams.
Last year’s beaten finalists, Featherstone Rovers, will take on Leigh Centurions in one of the stand-out games of the round following the draw which was conducted earlier this evening at The Shay, Halifax, venue for this year’s Northern Rail Finals day on Saturday July 20.
Two-time Northern Rail Cup winner Robbie Hunter-Paul was joined by on-line competition winner Simon Hagger to conduct the draw live on BBC Radio Leeds.
Having finished top of both preliminary groups to progress to the knock-out stages, Kingstone Press Championship One sides London Skolars and North Wales Crusaders will look to continue their cup journeys against Whitehaven and Swinton Lions, respectively.
The Northern Rail Cup Knock-out Round Draw in full is:
Featherstone Rovers v Leigh Centurions
Sheffield Eagles v Barrow Raiders
Workington Town v Hunslet Hawks
Dewsbury Rams v Halifax
Keighley Cougars v Batley Bulldogs
Swinton Lions v North Wales Crusaders
London Skolars v Whitehaven
York City Knights v Doncaster
All ties will be played over the weekend of May 18 and 19.
Skolars will host Whitehaven on either Saturday the 18th or Sunday the 19th and the kick-off time will be confirmed shortly, as will ticket arrangements.