GEOGRAPHICALLY they may sit on opposite sides of the country but the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup first round tie between West Hull and Thatto Heath Crusaders at West Hull Community Park on Saturday (2.00pm) will be a close contest, according to respective coaches Mark Hewitt and Paul Hatton.

The pair have history together in the Challenge Cup: just last year Thatto Heath travelled to East Yorkshire at the second round phase – West Hull coming out on top 28-18 – though Hewitt knows that, when it comes to playing strong teams, home advantage does not count for much.

“I don’t think you get a lot of advantage at home with the top sides because any of the top six or eight sides are capable of coming to your place and winning,” said West Hull coach Hewitt.

“We’re happy that we have got home advantage but we know that Thatto are within the top five teams in the National Conference League Premier and we’re going to have a game on.

“It’s a long way for them to come, and we got them in the Cup last year as well, but we’re happy with a home draw and we can hopefully get a good crowd down here so that people can see us play our first game of the season.

“It’s a tough order to reach the final, I don’t think that’s going to happen! But all we want to do is get through the rounds and get the chance to meet a semi-professional side.”

Exactly that happened for West Hull, who after defeating the Crusaders went down to Dewsbury Rams of the Kingstone Press Championship in the third round – part of an incredible 2014 season which saw them claim the Kingstone Press Cider National Conference League title, Grand Final and Conference Challenge Trophy treble.

Thatto Heath coach Hatton would love to topple last season’s all-conquers, and has his eye on a tie against professional opposition later in the competition.

“As far challenges go, you can’t go far wrong from visiting the all-conquering superstars from last year, West Hull,” said Hatton.

“They were brilliant last season.

“We’re desperate to have a crack against the professional teams. We missed out last year – unfortunately we were beaten by West Hull in round two so obviously this year we’re hoping to go on a little bit further and give ourselves the opportunity to go against a professional team in round three.

“Sometimes it can be difficult to get the players up and ready and willing to play at this time of year, but the best way to motivate them for the start of the season is, (a) to play in the Challenge Cup and (b) to take on the current champions at their ground.

“We are exactly where we wanted to be at this stage of the year and from our point of view, we’d love to go over there and give ourselves the best opportunity of making it to round two.”

All first round ties are to be played over the weekend of January 31-February 1.