UNLUCKY Heworth have been handed one of the toughest possible ties in the draw for the first round of this year's RL Challenge Cup.

The Villagers, who were last out of the hat, must travel to Ideal Isberg, who are two divisions above them in the National Conference League ladder.

York Acorn, who lie fourth, one place above Heworth, in NCL division two, have been given an apparently easier task, with a home tie against Dewsbury Moor, who are third bottom of the same division. Acorn coincidentally beat Moor 27-22 at Thanet Road on Saturday, despite not playing particularly well.

Ties are to be played on the weekend of December 1 and 2.

First round of the RL Challenge Cup: West Bowling v Newcastle University; East Leeds v Thornhill Trojans; Skirlaugh v Rochdale Mayfield; Thatto Heath v Ince Rose Bridge; Milford Marlins v Walney Central; Cork Bulls v Dewsbury Celtic; West Hull v Leigh Miners Rngrs; RLC Lionhearts v Featherstone Lions; Hull Dockers v Wath Brow Hornets; Charleston Knights v Wigan St Judes; Keighley Albion v Eastmoor Dragons; Castleford Panthers v Normanton Knights; Wigan St Patrick's v Askam Redhill; Dudley Hil Eccles v Waterhead; Woolston Rovers v Shareleston Rvrs; Saddleworth Rngrs v The Army; Millom v Ovenden; Edinburgh Eagles v Leigh East; Hunslet Warriors v Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks; RAF v UWIC; Siddal v Halton Simms Cross; Oldham St Anne's v Cottingham Tigers; Elland v Shawcross Sharks; Leeds Metropolitan University v Ellenborough Rngrs; York Acorn v Dewsbury Moor; Royal Navy v Farnworth; Crosfields v Oulton Raiders; Westgate Redoubt v Castleford Lock Lane; Ideal Isberg v Heworth.

Updated: 11:51 Wednesday, November 14, 2001