Bedford’s premier rugby league club, Bedford Tigers are back in the Betfred Challenge Cup this season after a three-year absence amidst dreams of playing one of the big boys.
This year, the finals of both Men’s and Women’s competitions will be staged at Wembley in an historic double header in August, but while dreams of a Wembley final may be too far, the Tigers will hope for an historic cup run to help boost the sport locally.
It’s the Tigers’ first entry into the competition since 2020, where they lost to Distington in Cumbria 50-10, but they will be hoping for better fortunes this time round as they make the relatively shorter trip to fellow Southern Conference side, Brentwood Eels in the first round.
New Head Coach, Gaz Barron will be hoping for a quick start in the Southern Conference after they finished fifth out of seven sides last season with four victories and eight defeats.
Their first round opposition meanwhile, Brentwood Eels, finished third with five wins and seven losses in 2022 as London Chargers won the division with a 100% record.
The Southern Conference has undergone a restructure for 2023, with All Golds joining the Eastern teams to make one division in the Southern Conference.
Bedford Tigers will face last season’s champions, London Chargers, All Golds, Eastern Rhinos, Hammersmith Hill Hoists, North Herts Crusaders and Wests Warriors and cup opponents Brentwood Eels in an extended division for 2023.
New Head Coach, Gaz Barron is looking forward to the challenge.
“Every rugby league player dreams of playing in the Challenge Cup. So even to be in the draw for this year is great.
“I’m very pleased with the draw for the first round and we hope to add our own little bit of cup magic and make it to the next round. Brentwood will be a tough test but the lads will be ready for it.”
If the Tigers make it through the first round, they’ll be rewarded with a return to Cumbria to face National Conference side, Wath Brow Hornets.
Preparations for the new season begin in earnest with the club’s first training session on Wednesday night with the Brentwood cup tie taking place on 11th February.
