The start of a new decade and the dream of Wembley has the same pull as it did in 1897 when this glorious competition began. Since its inception the Challenge Cup has seen some of the most remarkable upsets in the sport and winners from every corner of the game from Workington Town to Catalan Dragon’s and everywhere in between. Perhaps the greatest upset of all time came in 1998 when John Kear masterminded a sensational win for Sheffield Eagles against the almighty, all conquering Wigan Warriors at the Old Wembley.

Back to the here and now and our friends at the league one hub will be on the road to sunny Cumbria and Distington where they will entertain a Bedford Tigers side who are entering the side for the first time in the clubs history.

Distington are going into the game as overwhelming favourite having reached the 3rd round on a couple of occasions in the last few season. For Bedford it’s their 1st venture into the Cumbrian Rugby heartland, although with the ever expanding game I don’t think it’ll be their last. It will however be a mammoth trip for the club who lie just 57 miles north of London in the county of Bedfordshire.

Bedford will be buoyed by the fact that they are an unknown entity to their opposition and in knock out rugby anything can and often will happen.

Our friends at the league one hub will be covering the game via a live feed on their twitter page.

Saturday 11th January, Glass Road Distington CA14 5XU.

*if you are getting the train the best place to go is either Whitehaven or Workington and get the bus to distington.

** car is the M6 to Junction 40 at Penrith then follow the signs to Whitehaven coming off at the A595 1st turn off at Lakes college, Distington and Bypass route.

The 2020 Betfred League 1 fixtures were released yesterday (17/11) – we will have a Yorkshire derby in the mix as early as Round One as Keighley Cougars welcome Hunslet to Cougar Park on Sunday 16th February.

The season itself begins on Saturday 15th as Promotion finalists Newcastle Thunder welcome the West Wales Raiders to Kingston Park in what will be a tough test for the Raiders in only their 3rd season in League 1.

Newcomers Barrow Raiders will have a bye in round one. Their first match will be in Round 2 as they’re  away to Richard Horne’s Doncaster while fellow relegation partners Rochdale Hornets will take to the M6 in the opening round as they head to Butts Park,  Coventry in an attempt to tame the Bears.

Back into Wales again as Anthony Murray and North Wales Crusaders who will host Doncaster at Queensferry stadium.

In the final game of the round, London Skolars will make a 646 mile round trip to Cumbria as they will face Chris Thorman’s Workington. Thorman’s side will attempt to continue their impressive home form – just 4 League losses in 2 seasons!

The RFL have also introduced a new Golden Point rule to the Championship and League One should teams be level after 80 minutes. Both teams will receive a point with a third point being offered to the team who scored first during ‘Extra Time’