Challenge Cup magic alive as Lock Lane prepare for 'dream' Hull KR tie

The Grand Final has become the main event, casting a shadow over the cup's Wembley showpiece.

But if anything captures the enduring magic of the grand old competition, it is Friday's tie between Lock Lane and Hull KR.

While Rovers swept all before them at the top level, the Castleford-based amateurs were fighting for survival in the Premier Division of the National Conference League.

And yet the teams will share the same stage at Craven Park – an occasion that only the Challenge Cup can produce.

For Harry Render, who will spend his day working at a high school before turning his attention to the treble winners, it is an opportunity of a lifetime.

To set up the clash, Lock Lane had to push the prospect firmly to the back of their minds and first negotiate a tie against Brighouse.

"I was in school at the time and my phone was going mad," he said.

"I saw in our group chat that we'd be playing Hull KR if we won. Brad (Roberts, Lock Lane head coach) was really good about it. He told us we had that night to talk about it and then we don't talk about it from the following day until we beat Brighouse.

"There wasn't another message about it until we got the job done. We can't wait."

Lock Lane's band of welders, gas engineers and school teachers will live out their dream on Friday night after the tie was switched at their request.

Render – a Castleford Tigers junior before an ACL injury wrecked his chances of making it professionally – is among the lucky few to have played at Craven Park.

However, the cup cash will be an altogether different experience.

"Mick (Wildey, chairman) gave us the option and the lads wanted a day out," said Render.

"Almost all the lads had played at the Cas ground before. We wanted the full experience of playing at Hull KR.

"There are only three of us who have played there, if that. I played there once for the academy in a curtain-raiser but there wasn't much of a crowd, certainly not compared to what might be there on Friday."

Render will be supported by pupils from his school who are juniors at Lock Lane.

The community club have a rich history of producing talent – including the man Render will be tasked with stopping on Friday.

Noah Booth, who scored seven tries in six games in his debut season with the Robins, is set to deputise for England international Joe Burgess, setting up a reunion with Render.

"There isn't a bigger team to play against in rugby league at the minute," said Render. "It's the biggest game I've played in, barring the National Cup for Cas Academy at Wembley.

"I played in 2016 and then Noah Booth scored the year after in 2017. I grew up with Noah – he's a year younger than me.

"We both played in the scholarship together at Cas before he signed for Warrington. He played a year up for Lock Lane so I've come up against him once before. It'll be good to do it again on Friday."

Render and his team-mates are likely to spend most of the tie on the back foot in defensive mode.

But the Challenge Cup has a way of rewarding effort with unforgettable moments.

Jordan Myers experienced that firsthand with a try for York Acorn against Hull FC last year – and Render is hoping to do the same.

"I'd love to get over," he said.

"I had one disallowed against Brighouse and was absolutely gutted.

"The lads just want to put on a show for Lock Lane. A lot of people are coming out and they'll just want to see a lot of effort from us.

"We've got a big season coming up in the NCL where we're looking to compete and it will put us in good stead if we give a good account of ourselves."

The new Challenge Cup format drew mixed reviews when it was introduced last year, with some raising fears about player welfare in match-ups between professionals and amateurs.

But for the players themselves, nothing beats the thrill of testing themselves against the best.

"There's a lot of talk about player welfare but we play rugby to pull on a shirt and play with our mates," said Render, who once worked for Castleford's media team. "That's what we enjoy doing.

"At the end of the day, it's a dream come true and we were never going to turn the opportunity down.

"We're not going to shy away from the challenge. It's something we can tell our kids and grandkids about one day.

"People talk about the importance of keeping the magic of the Challenge Cup alive – and this is a reason why."