SKIRLAUGH would not be turning up tomorrow if they did not think they had a chance of shocking York City Knights.

That was the verdict of club secretary Rob Gill on the eve of the TXU Energi Challenge Cup third round tie between the National Conference League amateurs and the new professional outfit.

Gill, also the club's public relations officer, was not boasting about the Hull side's chances, but said they would put in 100 per cent to claim a National League scalp.

"We will be on the back foot but hopefully we can do ourselves justice," he said.

"We know the size of the task and we're under no illusions, but if we did not think we had a chance we would not turn up."

"On any given day in sport there's going to be an upset and we will give it all we've got."

Skirlaugh, who have been strong on home turf this season, have given that advantage up to stage the game at the nearby Boulevard, but they also have a good Challenge Cup pedigree and only last year they took Swinton Lions to extra-time.

Scrum-half Colin Brown and winger Phil Thacker have been noted as players to watch, while they will have good leadership from coach Lee Richardson, the former Hull KR hooker, and notably from Stewart Farr, his number two.

Farr, who had a spell with York, was also a member of the West Hull amateur team which knocked York Wasps out of the Cup in 1996.

Richardson and Farr watched the Knights at first hand last week when they opened their Arriva Trains Cup campaign with a promising performance, albeit in defeat, against Hull KR.

Gill added: "York got off to a good start last week and I believe it was a very good game.

"We know York have got a good side together but we will do our best."

Updated: 09:51 Saturday, January 25, 2003