NINE-YEAR-OLD Gareth Edwards is gearing up to lead out York City Knights at the McAlpine Stadium on Sunday when Richard Agar's men take on Huddersfield in the Powergen Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

The Wigginton Primary School pupil won the mascot competition run by the Evening Press in conjunction with the Knights, and says he can't wait for the big day.

We had asked young readers which player had scored the last-gasp winning try at Featherstone to book the Knights' place in the last eight, and the correct answer was Alex Godfrey.

And the winger was on hand to meet the youngster at Huntington Stadium. Godfrey said: "It will be a big day out for this little fella. He's lucky to be there and he should soak every minute up.

"I've played there only once, two years ago with Hull KR, and it's a daunting place but it's a great stadium and we're all looking forward to it."

Gareth, of Town End Gardens, Wigginton - who ironically has Godfrey's fellow winger Rob Kama's name on his Knights shirt - said: "I'm very happy to win and very excited. I didn't think I was going to win, but I have and it will be a big thrill to run out at the McAlpine Stadium. Come on the Knights."

Updated: 10:51 Saturday, March 27, 2004