CHAMPIONS Thatto Heath Crusaders face much-fancied title challengers Siddal in the pick if the ties on the opening day of the National Conference League 2022 season.

The season opens with a full schedule of fixtures, on March 5, and culminates with a magnificent Finals Day on October 8th.

The competition has reverted to four divisions with twelve teams in each to provide 22 league fixtures.

The reigning champions Thatto will find it tough against hosts Siddal, whose new coach Richard Knight will be looking for his players to put in a big performance on his first Premier Division game in charge of the team.

The fixture computer didn’t do Thatto any favours as their next two games are against Hunslet Club Parkside and Wath Brow Hornets - the team they pipped for the championship last October.

Division 1 has three derby games to start things off in Hull, Leeds and Wigan which should ensure bumper crowds with great atmospheres at those venues - Skirlaugh vs Hull Dockers; Milford vs Oulton Raiders and Wigan St Pats vs Ince Rose Bridge

Normanton Knights, in Division 2, will be looking to continue their form from the 2021 truncated season which saw them top of their Regional Group. But they face a tough test against Wigan St Judes who have missed out on promotion in the play offs in the full seasons prior to Lockdown.

Both newcomers to the NCL Division Three, Seaton Rangers and Bentley start with home games which should see the fans packing in when they take on Eastmoor Dragons and Hensingham respectively.

However that division's stand out game is the Oldham derby where Waterhead entertain Oldham St Annes .

"After two years without a full league competition it has been tough for every club," said NCL Chairman, Trevor Hunt.

"But we will be keeping fingers crossed we can provide the competition that the players are craving and the entertainment that the fans desire. It should be an exciting time for everyone."