TOM Sibley believes Red Star Belgrade's entry into the Coral Challenge Cup is a sign rugby league is moving in the right direction.

The Serbian side travelled to Millom for their first foray into the sport's most prestigious knock-out competition yesterday, with the home side emerging 38-10 victors in front of a healthy crowd and the BBC Sport television cameras.

It was a historic day for both clubs and Woolybacks player-coach Sibley is in no doubt having Red Star involved in the Cup is good for the 13-man code.

"For us to play against a team from Serbia, to me that shows rugby league is on the up," said Sibley.

"There are a lot of doubters about it, but for them to come over here and compete in the Challenge Cup shows it is going somewhere."

Millom now await the outcome of tonight's draw, which will be made at 6pm from Wigan St Patricks' clubhouse, to find out who they face in round two on the weekend of February 9 and 10.

Fellow Cumbrians Distington, who beat Welsh side Torfaen Tigers 48-0 on Saturday, and Wath Brow Hornets, who won 34-6 at London Chargers are in the draw too.

Kells lost 14-4 to Rochdale Mayfield, however, while other teams through include Great Britain Police and the Royal Air Force.

Whoever they draw though, Sibley will take plenty of encouragement into that match from how his team performed against Red Star in what was their first match of the season.

"For us to put in a performance like that against an unknown team is massive," said Sibley.

"It's a great start to the season for us, but we'll bounce back in training, look at the draw and see who we get in the next round."

Ball numbers for the Challenge Cup second-round draw: 1. Bentley; 2. Dewsbury Moor; 3. Distington; 4. Drighlington; 5. East Leeds; 6. Featherstone Lions; 7. Great Britain Police; 8. Haydock; 9. Leigh Miners Rangers; 10. Lock Lane; 11. Milford Marlins; 12. Millom; 13. Normanton Knights; 14. Ovenden; 15. Rochdale Mayfield; 16. Royal Air Force; 17. Siddal; 18. Thatto Heath Crusaders; 19. Thornhill Trojans; 20. Underbank Rangers; 21. Wath Brow Hornets; 22. West Bowling; 23. West Hull; 24. Wigan St Judes; 25. Wigan St Patricks; 26. York Acorn.