MILLOM and Askam had differing fortunes in the draw for the opening round of the 2018 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.

The Woollybacks enjoy home comforts as they will face Scottish champions Strathmore Silverbacks at Coronation Field.

Dave Clark's National Conference Division Two Askam will make the long journey to East Yorkshire to face York Acorn, a side operating one division about them in the NCL structure.

Cumbrian clubs Kells and Distington also secured home ties.

Kells will host the British Police as they hope to continue their journey in the cup, while Distington host Leeds outfit Queens.

Of the two other Cumbrian clubs in the first round draw, Wath Brow Hornets will head to Hunslet Warriors and Hensingham go to the University of Hull, with the ties to be played over the weekend of January 27-28.

Other ties of note see a first for the Challenge Cup, as London Chargers were drawn at home against Hammersmith Hills Hoists in an all-London fixture. West Hull will welcome the first Irish side to enter the Cup since 1998, Longhorns.

Conducting the draw was former Hull FC captain and back-to-back winner of the Challenge Cup Gareth Ellis, who was picking the home balls. Away teams were drawn by England assistant coach and five-time Challenge Cup trophy winner Paul Wellens.

Ladbrokes Challenge Cup first round draw in full

Leigh Miners Rangers v Myton Warriors; Underbank Rangers v Batley Boys; Kells v British Police; Wallsend Eagles v Pilkington Recs; Rochdale Mayfield v Crosfields; Lock Lane v Hindley; Hunslet Club Parkside v Valley Cougars; London Chargers v Hammersmith Hills Hoists; Royal Air Force v Drighlington; Oulton Raiders v Siddal; Millom v Strathmore Silverbacks; Loughborough University v Bradford Dudley Hill; University of Hull v Hensingham; Orrell St James v Northampton Demons; Royal Navy v Normanton Knights; York Acorn v Askam; Saddleworth Rangers v Thatto Heath Crusaders; Shaw Cross Sharks v Beverley; West Hull v Longhorns RL; East Leeds v Thornhill Trojans; Hunslet Warriors v Wath Brow Hornets; Featherstone Lions v Skirlaugh; British Army v Milford Marlins; Distington v Queens.