AN eight-hour journey up to Scotland is not a conventional trip to open a campaign in rugby league’s Challenge Cup.

But that is what awaits Pilkington Recs this weekend ahead of a first round clash with Aberdeen Warriors on Saturday.

A 40-strong party – of players, backroom staff and supporters – will make the 340-mile journey on Friday evening.

The Scottish champions are not unfamiliar to Recs, with the two sides having met at Ruskin Drive in 2015, when the St Helens amateurs ran out victorious.

Recs club secretary Billy Dillon said: “It’s a long trip – but we are well prepared with an overnight stopover and a meal along the way. Many of the lads will finish work on Friday afternoon and then we’ll aim to get to Aberdeen for 11pm.

“It’s exciting and there’s a really good feel about the place at the moment. Our new open age coaches John Rees, Liam Bostock and Paul Leyland are up and running and they have been well assisted by Saints’ Matty Smith, who has really got stuck into things.

“We’re also training now at our new facilities at Ruskin as we prepare for the 2017 season.

“We know them from a couple of years ago – and expect them to be a big set and pose a tough challenge but hopefully we can get the win and challenge the semi-professional clubs again following the success over London Skolars last year.”

Haydock travel to Wath Brow Hornets, while Thatto Heath entertain Skirlaugh (1.30pm) in the other ties involving St Helens clubs.