WHAT were the odds on Barrow being drawn against Rochdale Mayfield in two different cup competitions on consecutive weekends?

I thought someone was having a laugh when I was told the draw, but no.

Today Barrow travel to Castleton to play the National Conference League amateurs in the League One Cup first round and next week we play them again at home in the Challenge cup. Spooky!

This cup was initially for the professional sides in League One, but Canadian newcomers Toronto Wolfpack declined to be involved, which led to Mayfield being invited in their place.

Their local press are promoting the tie and said this week: “This is a massive challenge for the local amateur side as Barrow are one of the tips for the top this season.

"Mayfield coach Matt Calland knows what they are up against and are massive underdogs in this game, but they are confident their players will rise to the challenge.

"The inclusion of youth in the side over the last season has seen the Mayfield side put in some great performances and has led to some teams underestimating the side."

I’m sure we will be giving them the utmost respect and not underestimating them, as last week they travelled to Whitehaven the night before the game and defeated a very good Kells side 16-14 in the Challenge Cup.

Last week’s side contained eight teenagers and all performed outstandingly, with man-of-the-match Lewis Sheridan outstanding and Zac Hartley slotting over the last-minute penalty to achieve the victory.

A good crowd is expected at the Mayfield Sports Centre this afternoon.

I have been there before when I was on the board about 10 years ago.

It was a Challenge Cup match and Barrow ran out 30-10 winners in the mud, with Lee Dutton, Mike Backhouse, Martin Ostler and Pat Weisner all scoring. It was a very tough game and I was surprised by how good Mayfield were.

If Barrow can continue the rich vein of form shown in the friendlies, then we should win comfortably, but Paul Crarey knows only too well that if there is any complacency and a lack of professionalism and discipline, we will get beat.

Victory will put us into the quarter-finals and, with Toronto not involved, this will be our best chance of reaching the final on the day of the Summer Bash in Blackpool on Saturday, May 27 – so don’t book your holidays just yet!

A day out in Blackpool would be a welcome reward for all the Raiders faithful.

In terms of the Challenge Cup ,we have got to be pleased with the draw, and hopefully we can go as far as possible and get a money-spinning Super League team along the way.

Elsewhere in Cumbria, Workington Town were handed a tough tie at fellow League One outfit Newcastle Thunder, while Whitehaven will travel to the winner of West Hull versus Thatto Heath.

Egremont are also still in the cup and admitted they were disappointed not to be facing one of the other Cumbrian sides. They have drawn York City Knights away and we will watch with interest as York are our first league opponents in a fortnight at home.

The BBC are covering the Challenge Cup again this year and the early rounds are being live-streamed on their website.

They have chosen NCL champions Siddal against Toronto in the third round and only last week, Siddal’s 34-10 second round win against Pilkington Recs was broadcast and was watched by 20,000 viewers.

We could be next.