Bradford Dudley Hill and West Bowling travel with optimism in the first round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup on Saturday.

Hill appear to have a good chance of progressing when they make the long journey to Cumberland League Division One Kells.

While the Cumbrians are always a mighty handful on home soil, they could still be licking their wounds from the 34-0 defeat at Hunslet Warriors in last week’s BARLA National Cup tie.

Hill, who will be hoping for good conditions under foot after surrendering a 10-0 lead in heavy conditions in their home league defeat against Hull Dockers last week, should have the class to secure a berth in round two.

West Bowling fancy their chances of pulling off a shock result at Wigan St Judes.

The hosts are in woeful form in the National Conference Premier Division, posting only three wins out of eight home games. They have a dreadful defensive record, shipping an average of more than 33 points per game.

Wests will be without talisman Nigel Halmshaw (hamstring) but have a tailor-made replacement available in evergreen prop Phil Chappell.