A famous National Conference League side has withdrawn from this year’s Challenge Cup format just days before the start of the prestigious competition.

Wath Brow Hornets were due to take on Bradford-based West Bowling this weekend in a first-round clash. However, the Cumbrian side will not fulfil the tie, with the Hornets telling the Rugby Football League over the weekend that they have concerns over player safety and cannot complete the fixture. The club have referred to the RFL's own recovery guidelines for community players, with the National Conference League season not starting until March.

The club said in a statement: "Wath Brow Hornets ARLFC regrets to inform you we will not be taking part in this season’s Challenge Cup & apologise for any inconvenience this causes West Bowling ARLFC. Pre-Christmas, our head coach raised detailed concerns around player welfare regarding playing Challenge Cup games in very early January. The risk of injury is greatly personified due to the undoubted lack of preparation time for all amateur clubs.

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"The RFL’s own mandate was for non-contact in pre-season up until late February! How they then allow these fixtures is both regrettable, but more importantly, it is to the detriment of all amateur players in our opinion (again RFL mandate was WE MUST HAVE A LENGTHY OFF SEASON).

"The 2024 season for ourselves was not concluded until mid-October, and again, your own counsel was to have a longer off season so as to allow players the much-needed recovery time (regardless of Challenge Cup entry or not). We are extremely concerned about the potential for amateur clubs then playing well-conditioned professional clubs (their pre-season started far earlier & is understandably more intense) & the high risk those fixtures present.

"The actual NCL season does not commence until March & rightly so. These Cup games no longer present the financial rewards that were on offer years ago and, in reality, often cost amateur clubs. Given the risks highlighted, the actual lack of reward & BY ACTUALLY FOLLOWING THE RFL MANDATORY GUIDANCE, Wath Brow Hornets ARLFC have considered all factors & are withdrawing from the competition."

The RFL now set to determine what comes next, whether a new club is drafted in to face West Bowling or if the Bradford-based side gets a walkover for the fixture. The latter option would ensure West Bowling get a bye into the second round, where they would face an exciting tie against Championship opponent Sheffield Eagles.

The withdrawal is a blow for both Wath Brow and the amateur game, which will look to show its strength with its community clubs progressing far in the competition once again. Last year, the Cumbrian outfit made it all the way to the fourth round, where they met York Acorn, another NCL side, who won the fixture and faced Halifax Panthers in the last 32.

However, a return of such heights is over before it begins, with the club confirming to the RFL over the weekend that they will not fulfil their round one tie. The full round one ties, including local NCL outfit West Hull, can be found below. Meanwhile, Hull FC and Hull KR enter the competition in round three.

Challenge Cup first round ties

• West Hull vs Edinburgh Eagles

• London Chargers vs Oulton Raiders

• Longhorns vs Ince Rose Bridge

• Lock Lane vs Doncaster Toll Bar

• Hammersmith Hills Hoists vs Siddal

• Waterhead Warriors vs Leigh Miners Rangers

• GB Police vs York Acorn

• Aberavon Fighting Irish vs Blackbrook

• Mirfield vs Royal Navy

• Crosfields vs Maryport

• British Army vs Royal Air Force

• Stanley Rangers vs Hunslet ARLFC

• West Bowling vs Wath Brow Hornets

• Dewsbury Moor vs Haresfinch

• Eastern Rhinos vs West Warriors

• Rochdale Mayfield vs Telford Raiders

• Thatto Heath vs Orrell St James

Challenge Cup second round draw

• GB Police or York Acorn vs London Chargers or Oulton Raiders

• Halifax Panthers vs Thatto Heath or Orrell St James

• Dewsbury Moor or Haresfinch vs Dewsbury Rams

• Barrow Raiders vs Crosfields or Maryport

• Mirfield or Royal Navy vs Workington Town

• London Broncos vs Goole Vikings

• Lock Lane or Doncaster Toll Bar vs Hunslet

• Waterhead Warriors or Leigh Miners vs Featherstone Rovers

• Eastern Rhinos or Wests Warriors vs British Army or Royal Air Force

• Whitehaven vs Swinton Lions

• Stanley Rangers or Hunslet ARLFC vs West Hull or Edinburgh Eagles

• Rochdale Hornets vs Widnes Vikings

• Oldham vs Rochdale Mayfield or Telford Raiders

• Keighley Cougars vs York Knights

• Sheffield Eagles vs West Bowling or Wath Brow Hornets

• Bradford Bulls vs Doncaster

• Aberavon Fighting Irish or Blackbrook vs Longhorns or Ince Rose Bridge

• Midlands Hurricanes vs Hammersmith Hills Hoists or Siddal

• Cornwall vs North Wales Crusaders

• Newcastle Thunder vs Batley Bulldogs

2025 Challenge Cup dates

• Round 1 | 11/12 January

• Round 2 | 25/26 January

• Round 3 | 8/9 February

• Round 4 | 15/16 March

• Quarter-Finals | 5/6 April

• Semi-Finals | 10/11 May

• Final | Saturday 7 June

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