‘It will be good for the town’ - Dewsbury rugby league clubs could clash in Challenge Cup as Batley Bulldogs travel north

Moor, who finished fourth in NCL Division 1 last season, however, will have to get past St Helens-based community club Haresfinch ARLFC in the first round before even thinking about what would be a mouthwatering derby prospect with the Rams.

Rams head coach Paul March told the Reporter Series after the draw was made:

“It will be good for both clubs and the town and hopefully people can get behind the tie if it comes off. Obviously they have still got a big task ahead of them against Haresfinch but hopefully we can get that derby on and both clubs can be well supported.

“Dewsbury Moor will go into their tie as favourites but, as we found out last year, winning is a mentality and Haresfinch didn’t lose a game last year. They won every game so they will be confident.

“But for Dewsbury Moor there’s a big local derby on the other side if they can get through.”

And March is familiar with the amateur side having coached their local rivals Shaw Cross Sharks.

He said: “We played them in the last couple of years in a local cup final and played them in the league the year before when they got promoted. They are a big set and are very middle-heavy. They play through the middle a lot.

“We have taken one of their players, Louie Walker, so he knows them and I coached a lot of them when I coached the Heavy Woollen side, so I know what they are all about.

“But they have got the small task of getting past Haresfinch first before we can even start thinking about who we’re playing.”

The Rams’ Heavy Woollen rivals, Batley Bulldogs, face a stiffer test in Round 2 at League 1 side Newcastle Thunder.

Head coach Mark Moxon told the Reporter Series:

“I think it’s a good draw. It’s a kind of progression of our pre-season. I was hoping not to get a Championship team.

“We have only got two friendlies planned, at home to Dewsbury Rams and Midlands Hurricanes, so this can be an extension of our pre-season prep ready for the new season. I am quite happy with it.

“If you get an amateur team, particularly away from home, that can be a tricky fixture as well, so we will be going to a nice venue at Newcastle, which should be a good trip.”

The Bulldogs and the Rams also know the incentive of progressing through their second round ties - a potential third round fixture with a Super League giant.

Moxon added: “It’s always an exciting time at this time of year when the Challenge Cup comes around because everybody wants to draw a big tie, particularly at home.

“Batley is no different and the income that could potentially bring would be massive for the club.

“We have got to get the job done first of all against Newcastle and maybe hope for a big tie at home in the next round.”

Dewsbury Rams’ and Batley Bulldogs’ second round Challenge Cup ties will take place during the weekend of January 25-26.