Storm handed Castleford Cup trip

South London's reward for winning the Powergen Challenge Cup's first London derby is a second round trip to Castleford Lock Lane.

Storm defeated their local rivals, West London Sharks, by 24-20 in a closely fought game, which was finally settled by 2 penalty kicks late on. Giving Souths a place in the second round of the Powergen Challenge Cup for the first time in their history.

Castleford Lock Lane, conversely are no strangers to the Challenge Cup where they reached the third round four years ago narrowly losing to French side Villenueve 26-16. This year they reached the second round in convincing fashion by beating both Ideal Isberg 30-0 and the Royal Air Force 44-8 in the preliminary and first rounds. To help them on their way Castleford even have Matt Crowther in charge, who won the Challenge Cup with Sheffield Eagles in 1998.

Conversely the Croydon based Storm are comparative new kids on the block. Formed in 1997 playing their rugby in the summer Rugby League Conference Premier division, whilst stalwarts Castleford play in the winter National League One.

Storm's Chairman, Paul Brown commented "We are comfortable being the underdogs, we are currently in our off-season but we have been training hard. We can go there and relax, play our game and enjoy the occasion. We have nothing to lose, we've already made history by making it this far!"

The Challenge Cup has a habit of throwing up shocks as Lock Lanes Matt Crowther would testify to, and no one is sure whether this will be another. The only thing for certain is that the victors will take a step further to the final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and have the possibility of drawing a Russian, French or National League side in the 3rd round.

The game is to be played at Lock Lane Sports Club, Castleford at 1.30pm on Saturday 19th February.