Challenge Cup: Fax paired with winners of Whitehaven/Oxford tie

The two League 1 clubs had to postpone their fourth round meeting because of a waterlogged pitch at the Recreation Ground and will make a second attempt to play the game this weekend.

Fax were paired with the victors in Tuesday’s draw, an outcome that coach Richard Marshall was satisfied with.

“We’re okay with that, although we’ve a fair bit of travel to do whoever we play,” said Marshall, who watched a much-changed line up edge past Hunslet 20-6 at the Shay last Sunday.

“I suppose in our position you want either a League 1 team or one of the big guns like Leeds, so we can’t complain.

“We’ll see who we end up playing, but it looks like a tough game for Oxford going up to Whitehaven.

“They gave us a torrid time up there last season in a game that had a detrimental effect on our whole year, so we know we’ll be in for a battle if we end up playing up there.

“And if it does end up being Oxford, we will need to do some homework because we don’t know much about them at all.

“The main thing is we get through it and give ourselves a chance of potentially testing ourselves against one of those top Super League clubs when they come in in round six.”

All ties will be played on the weekend of April 22/23.

Marshall confirmed that Fax’s Australian prop Alex Mammone broke his cheekbone against the Hawks.

Hooker Ben Kaye also left the field early, but the club are still awaiting a final diagnosis on his wrist injury ahead of Sunday’s trip to Hull KR.

Challenge Cup fifth round draw:

Leigh Centurions v Hull Kingston Rovers

Featherstone Rovers v Oldham

Leeds Rhinos v Doncaster

Salford Red Devils v Toronto Wolfpack

Whitehaven/Oxford v Halifax

Dewsbury Rams v Batley Bulldogs

Huddersfield Giants v Swinton Lions

York City Knights v Barrow Raiders