The Carnegie Challenge Cup

This round of the Challenge Cup is particularly difficult for bookmakers to price up as a whole host of teams meet with varying pedigrees. In the last couple of years this round has been played a touch later in the season and we are now finding that there are less shocks of amateurs beating the pros as the professionals have had a few games under their belt and, in theory, the weather should be slightly better.

Pilkingtons v Batley



8th March 15:00 GMT

For both of my selections I feel that the amateur sides have been over-rated. Pilkingtons play in the North West Counties Premier league and whilst it is a strong league at the top end there are some poor teams in there. The game is played at Knowsley Rd and I expect the Batley side to have too much power and pace for the amateurs. Batley have a host of key players set to return from injury this weekend and I'm struggling to envisage a scenario where it will be close. At very best it might be a 20pt margin and it would be no surprise to me for it to be 50pts. I had it handicapped in the mid 30s so it is a fair way from my figures, hence the higher stake.

Pick: Batley -24 4pts @ 1.83 with Totesport


Leeds Met v Rochdale



8th March 14:00 GMT

Leeds Met are a fairly difficult outfit to rate and they do have a sprinkling of professionals studying there but not all will play as their clubs are using them. Rochdale have had lots of problems pre-season and they have had some heavy defeats but they also have had a victory against Blackpool and they have players who will have too much for the students. Again it is a bet based on the fact my handicap would be a fair bit higher. I had to go in the mid 20s, though the caution with the stake is purely from my admitted lack of knowledge of the University team.

Pick: Rochdale -16 2pts @ 1.91 with Bet365 or Sky Bet

The man