Royal Navy v Valley Cougars Challenge Cup preview

Royal Navy v Valley Cougars (Sun) Carnegie Rugby League Challenge Cup First Round Venue: The Navy Ground, Portsmouth Kick-off: 1100 GMT, Sunday 25 January

Valley Cougars had the tough task of beating a strong Royal Navy side away from home last Sunday to qualify for the second round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

Kick-off for the match at The Navy Ground in Portsmouth had been brought forward to 11am on Sunday morning so that many of the Royal Navy players can return to different parts of the country and resume their duties, so the Cougars were travelling from Wales on Saturday night and staying in the south in preparation for their big match.

This game was to be the third time that the Navy had faced a Welsh side in recent years with the forces visiting Bridgend twice to face Celtic Crusaders Reserves. The first game in 2006 saw the Navy run out 24-20 winners but they were turned over 54-30 in 2007.

Lee Williams, who was man of the match for Crusaders in both 2006 and 2007, won the same honour in the Cougars