Leigh Leopards are delighted to confirm the date, kick-off time and ticket pricing as they begin their defence of the Betfred Challenge Cup against Featherstone Rovers.

The eagerly awaited tie will take place at the Leopards Den on Saturday 23 March with a 2pmkick-off.

Featherstone Rovers were the only team to beat the then Centurions during their record-breaking Betfred Championship campaign of 2022, recording an early season 28-6 home victory. Adrian Lam’s team won the return league game 32-12 and recorded a famous 30-16 win in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final between the two sides at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

One of the Leigh favourites from that season, Caleb Aekins, is now a star of the Rovers side which reached this stage of the Challenge Cup by virtue of a thrilling golden point extra-time 14-10 victory over Wakefield Trinity last Sunday. Rovers have met Leigh on ten previous occasions in the Challenge Cup and hold the upper hand with six victories to Leigh’s four.

The teams first met in the competition in a two-legged first round tie in 1948 when Leigh went through 28-9 on aggregate.

Leigh then beat Rovers 17-11 in a first-round tie at Hilton Park in 1957 and in the sides’ last Challenge Cup meeting, 26-16 at Leigh Sports Village ten years ago.

Ryan Brierley was Leigh’s hero that day, scoring a hat-trick in his side’s 26-16 victory to earn his side a place in the last 16. Liam Kay and Kurt Haggerty were Leigh’s other try-scorers with Martyn Ridyard (2) and Brierley landing goals.

James Mendeika and Will Sharp each scored two tries for Rovers in front of a crowd of 3,664.

Rovers have twice defeated Leigh at the semi-final stage of the competition, both times at Headingley, in 1952 and 1974.

Rovers won the 1955 quarter-final at Hilton Park and defeated Leigh at the same stage at Post Office Road in 1962. Their 23-14 victory at Hilton Park in 1978 was at the last 32 stage.

Rovers’ most recent Challenge Cup win over Leigh was also at the last 32 stage in 2003 when two tries by Danny Seal helped his side to a 28-22 home success.

Pricing & Hospitality.

The advantage in being a member of the Leopards is amply demonstrated by the pricing and adult members who buy in advance of the tie can secure their tickets for £20. Members have until the Monday the 18th of March to reserve they’re existing seat or standing.

Full pricing details are as follows:

£25.00 Adult – £27.00 on the day (Members £20 or £22 on the day)

£22.00 Concessions – £24.00 on the day (members £18 or £20 on the day)

£15.00 – 18/21 – £15.00 on the day (£12 members)

£10.00 – 12/17 – £10.00 on the day (£7 members)

£5.00 – 5/11 – £5.00 on the day (£3 members)

FOC Under 5

Family ticket – 1 Adult 1 Child – £30.00 / £34.00 on the day

Family ticket – 2 Adult 1 Child – £50.00 / £60.00 on the day

Family ticket – 2 Adult 2 Child – £55.00 / £65.00 on the day

Family ticket – 2 Adult 3 Child – £58.00 / £68.00 on the day

Tickets can be bought online, 24 hours each day on www.leightickets.co.uk

In person at the Ticket Office at Leigh Sports Village (9-5, Mon to Fri, 9-12 Sat)

Or by telephoning 01942 487888 during Ticket Office opening hours.