The Challenge Cup

By The Man

Challenge Cup this weekend and the Championship teams enter the competition to meet the best of the amateurs. It is a very difficult round to price up and I'd be surprised if the layers take much money before altering their prices but I've a fairly extensive knowledge of the amateur game and the relative merits of the sides and I've picked out a few wagers where the handicaps on offer differ widely from my numbers:
 
Pick: Milford +8 v Gateshead 2pts @ 1.91 with Betfred, Sky Bet or Ladbrokes
 
This would be a bigger stake if Gateshead were playing a better amateur outfit as I would be sure they would lose. However, I still had Milford as favourites as even amateur teams would not be losing by the cricket scores Gateshead have endured in the Northern Rail Cup. I had Milford by 4pts.
 
Pick: East Hull +46 v Swinton 3pts @ 1.91 with Ladbrokes

I have been fairly impressed with the start Swinton have made this season and they look to have a good season ahead of them in Championship One. However, East Hull are in the Conference Premier which makes them one of the best amateurs in the country. This league is full of ex-pros and they will see this as their cup final with the start on offer too high for me. I had Swinton by 30pts.
 
Pick: Lezignan +2 v Whitehaven 2pts @ 1.91 with Bet365
 
Always difficult to assess the French but the visitors are the Champions and usually that means they have Championship ability. Whitehaven have improved but they shouldn't go in to this as favourites. I had the French by 6pts.
 
Pick: Siddal +50 v Widnes 3pts @ 1.91 with Bet365
 
I appreciate Widnes are probably the best pro team around outside Super League after their win at Featherstone but Siddal are a top, top amateur outfit, have home advantage and will be very physical. It's all about the start obviously and mine was in the mid thirties, hence the bet.
 
Rochdale +8 v Workington 3pts @ 1.91 with Ladbrokes
 
I can't understand why Rochdale are favourites. They both seem to have similar ability to me and Town never seem to travel well. I had Hornets by 4pts.

The Man