Rochdale Hornets to host Challenge Cup third and fourth round draws

Rochdale Hornets will host the draw for the third and fourth rounds of the 2022 competition at the Crown Oil Arena on Tuesday (1 February).

The draws will be conducted by Rochdale’s own Victoria Molyneux and Paul Sculthorpe MBE, and be shown live on BBC Sport from 6pm.

Molyneux plays for Wigan Warriors in the Betfred Women’s Super League, and made an unusual slice of history in 2021 when she was recalled for her second and third England caps 14 years after her debut in 2007.

She is therefore in line to play for England in the Women’s World Cup competition this autumn – and has retained strong links with Rochdale, her hometown, as she has been involved in coaching Women’s and Girls’ Rugby League.

 

 

Paul Sculthorpe, four times a Challenge Cup winner with St Helens, is now a member of Shaun Wane’s England coaching team. He will return to the Crown Oil Arena in that role in October when England face Fiji in their last warm-up game before the Rugby League World Cup.

The draw comes on the 100-year anniversary of the Hornets’ only Challenge Cup victory in April 1922, when they beat Hull FC 10-9, after victories over Broughton Moor, Leeds, Oldham and Widnes to reach the final.

Steve Kerr, Hornets CEO, said: “We’re thrilled to host the Betfred Challenge Cup draw to mark our centenary since our 1922 Cup win. 

"It was a special moment in the club’s history which we are determined to mark this year - it would be great if we could progress and maybe even draw Hull FC in the later rounds of the competition. 

"Cup dreams are always possible, but of course we need to beat the Midlands Hurricanes as our first opponents on Sunday week – a game we are really looking forward to, as it will also be a special occasion for our visitors as their first cup-tie as the Hurricanes.

Currently in Betfred League One, Rochdale Hornets will enter the 2022 Betfred Challenge Cup at the second round stage on Sunday 30 January, against a new name in the competition, the Midlands Hurricanes, a tie that will be streamed live by BBC Sport. 

The game marks the first competitive fixture for fellow League One side Hurricanes since the rebranding of the former Coventry Bears club this winter.

Tickets are on sale now, with adult tickets priced at £12, concessions are £10 and students £5. Under 16s go free (ticket must be booked in advance).

• www.hornetsrugbyleague.co.uk/tickets

The winners of that tie will take their place with 11 other second round winners in the third round draw, with ties to be played on the weekend of 12 and 13 February.

Sculthorpe and Molyneux will also conduct the draw for the fourth round, when the 14 Betfred Championship clubs enter the competition – including 10 clubs who have previously won the Challenge Cup.

Those ties will be played on the weekend of 26 and 27 February.