Rugby League fans hoping to watch some Challenge Cup action have been left disappointed after the match was cancelled on account of the bad weather.
The UK is currently going through a cold snap with storm Goretti resulting in snow across much of the UK, along with very cold conditions.
Despite rugby league transitioning to be a summer sport, some games still fall victim to the weather, particularly during January and that’s been evident this weekend with a number of pre-season friendlies falling off.
However, with the Challenge Cup format changing in recent years so that the early rounds are played before the start of the Super League season, it’s also meant a number of the 17 scheduled Challenge Cup matches have also fallen victim to the weather.
The latest of those is the clash between Siddal and Waterhead Warriors, the game that was set to be broadcast by the Sportsman Rugby League on YouTube, meaning fans now don’t have a Sunday afternoon game to watch from home.
Jake Connor’s side see Challenge Cup clash called off
What it also means is that Siddal and Waterhead will be rearranged alongside a number of Saturday’s cancelled cup matches, with the second round of the Challenge Cup already drawn and pencilled in for the weekend of 24th and 25th January.
Siddal, who are coached by Super League Man of Steel Jake Connor, won the NCL League Leaders Shield in 2025 but then lost to West Hull in the Grand Final, were expected to be one of the big stories of round one of the Challenge Cup.
Instead, their game looks likely to be rearranged for next week alongside eight of the ties that were supposed to have been played on Saturday but fell off due to the weather.
At the time of writing, Sunday afternoon’s other games are expected to go ahead meaning that eight of the 17 round one ties will have been played, with the nine that fell off likely to be played next week ahead of round two the week after.
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🚨 GAME OFF 🚨
Due to ground conditions, the game between Siddal and Waterhead today has been called off. https://t.co/O17ajXLAtq
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) January 11, 2026
Challenge Cup first round results so far
Royal Navy 4-18 Hammersmith Hills Hoists
Hunslet ARLFC 48-6 York Acorn
Orrell St James 34-0 Oldham St Annes
Blackbrook 52-6 GB Police
British Army 12-24 Wests Warriors
Thatto Heath Crusaders 78-10 Seaton Rangers
Heworth P-P RAF
Brighouse Rangers P-P Lock Lane
Wigan St Judes P-P Leigh Miners Rangers
Stanningley P-P Dewsbury Moor
Rochdale Mayfield P-P Ince Rose Bridge
King Cross Park P-P West Hull
Telford Raiders P-P London Chargers
Woodhouse Warriors P-P Mirfield Spartans
Banbridge Broncos v Aberavon Fighting Irish – To be played on Sunday, January 11
Siddal P-P Waterhead Warriors
Bedford Tigers v Medway Dragons – To be played on Sunday, January 11
