Whitehaven have an attractive reward if they beat Oxford in Sunday’s delayed Challenge Cup clash.

Championship side Halifax will be the visitors to the Recreation Ground, provided Haven can see off the challenge of Oxford.

Halifax drew 12-12 in the Championship fixture at the Recreation Ground last season, needing a last-gasp converted try to deny Whitehaven a vital victory.

They returned in the Championship Shield and won more readily but have not set the competition alight this season so far.

Currently lying sixth, Halifax have won three and lost three, and have a tough test at leaders Hull KR on Sunday.

Whitehaven chairman Tommy Todd said: “I think it’s an excellent draw against a Championship side who, perhaps, aren’t quite as good as they were 12 to 18 months ago.

“I think they will bring a good few supporters and it should be an opportunity for a decent crowd with Workington Town not having a fixture.”

Ironically, Halifax beat Hunslet 20-6 on Sunday in the fourth round, and the Hawks have had this weekend’s League One game with Whitehaven postponed by the Rugby League.

Todd believes that Hunslet are not best pleased they have had their game postponed.

He added: “They hadn’t heard from the Rugby Football League when I rang their chairman Neil Hampshire. It was the first indication he had of the game being switched.

“I apologised but, of course, he realised it wasn’t our fault.

"The RFL had insisted on Sunday for our cup game with Oxford as they didn’t want them travelling in midweek.”

The full draw is: Leigh v Hull KR, Featherstone v Oldham, Leeds v Doncaster, Salford v Toronto, Whitehaven / Oxford v Halifax, Dewsbury v Batley, Huddersfield v Swinton, York v Barrow