Experienced giant-killers Wath Brow Hornets are under no illusions about the challenge they face on Sunday in the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

They go head-to-head with Co-operative Championship side Leigh Centurions in the third round tie at the new Sports Village.

The National Conference Premier Division side claimed the scalp of Co-operative Championship One team London Skolars at this stage last season and their head coach Ian Rooney is looking forward to pitting his wits against a team coached by Cup winner Ian Millward.

Rooney, Wath Brow head coach, said: “It’s obviously a massive game for us and has generated a huge deal of interest in the club.

“I’m delighted the crop of young lads will get the opportunity to be on the same field as the likes of Robbie Paul. For our young players this will be a great experience.

“We’re under no illusions about the task ahead, Leigh are a club steeped in history with some fantastic players and they have been great to deal with since we were drawn against them.

The Cumbrian outfit are no strangers to giant-killings having also turned over Dewsbury Rams and Workington Town in the Cup in recent years.

However, Rooney knows that the Hornets who have previously been drawn against professional teams such as Huddersfield Giants and London Broncos in this competition will have to be at their very best to contain Leigh this weekend.

Rooney said: “We’re hoping to give a decent account of ourselves against Leigh and we’ll have to be at our very best to contain a very potent Centurions side.

“We’re a close knit community and Rugby League is at the very centre of it so we’ll have a few hundred supporters on coaches heading down to Leigh.”

Season ticket holders at Co-operative Championship and Co-operative Championship One clubs can enjoy free entry to their team’s Carnegie Challenge Cup Third Round tie this weekend.

Tickets for the 2010 Carnegie Challenge Cup Final are currently on sale, priced from just £21. Until Friday March 26, the RFL is offering complimentary upgrades on all ticket bands, with the exception of £76 tickets, for the Wembley showdown.
For example, anyone purchasing a £31 ticket will automatically be upgraded to a £41 ticket.

To book your Wembley seat at the historic 2010 Carnegie Challenge Cup Final contact  the RFL ticket office on 0844 856 11 13 or visit www.carnegiechallengecup.co.uk

The Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round draw will take place on Monday evening (8 March) and will be live on BBC Radio Five Live shortly after 7.30pm.

Broadcast live from The Halliwell Jones stadium, home of current cup holders Warrington Wolves, the draw will feature the winners of this weekend’s third round ties together with the 14 Engage Super League clubs who enter the competition at this stage.

Making the draw will be Graeme West and Garry Schofield who both played in the 1985 Challenge Cup Final between Wigan and Hull, a game widely regarded as the greatest final of all time.  Players who featured in that cup final will be guests of honour at this year’s Wembley final on Saturday August 28.

As with last year when an aggregate crowd of 67,816 turned out to see the fourth round games – the biggest since 1995 – this year’s ties on 17 and 18 April are also expected to attract bumper crowds as season ticket holders at the 14 Engage Super League clubs benefit from free admission to the tie involving their team.

According to William Hill, the RFL’s official bookmakers, Leeds Rhinos start the competition as 11/4 favourites.  St Helens, the team who knocked the Rhinos out at the fourth round stage last year, are 3/1 second favourites, whilst cup holders Warrington Wolves are joint third favourites with Wigan at 13/2.

Wath Brow aren’t quoted in the betting but neighbours Whitehaven, who play on the same Leigh Sports Village ground on Friday night against amateurs Leigh Miners Rangers, are quoted at 200/1 to lift the silverware for the first time.

Workington Town, who beat Featherstone Rovers at Wembley to lift the Challenge Cup in 1952 for the one and only time, are 1,000/1 to repeat the feat.

They have to get past Featherstone on Sunday to reach Monday’s fourth round draw.

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