THE National Cup will take precedence for three York and district amateur rugby league clubs on Saturday as they again try to get into the second round.

Heworth, New Earswick All Blacks and Selby Warriors all saw their first-round matches called off last week and will attempt to play them this weekend, weather permitting.

The rescheduling of the Heworth match - they entertain Ince Rose Bridge - means their big National Conference League division two derby at York Acorn has had to be put back to later in the season.

Bridge are last year's cup finalists and will provide a difficult tie for the Villagers, but the extra week afforded the hosts by the postponement means they have more players to choose from, while a few niggling injuries have cleared up.

Russ McCardle, Nigel Wilson and Lee Clark are available again, while Carl Barrow will also be in the squad after league chiefs decided no ban was necessary frollowing his sending off against Cottingham Tigers.

Steve Barnard, set to return last week after a long lay-off, has also been given more time to fully recover from his shoulder injury, and both he and Sam Clark played in the York City Knights training match at Huntington Stadium on Tuesday night, coming through okay.

Long-term absentee Jason Kane is the only player definitely out.

Player-coach Brendan Carlyle said: "I wouldn't say it's a blessing in disguise that last week was called off but we do have a few more players to choose from and hopefully we will have a decent game."

All Blacks, who supplied the bulk of the loaned players for the aforementioned Knights' practice match on Tuesday, will again try to play their cup tie at home to Cumbrian outfit Ellenborough Rangers.

Spokesman Simon Malarkey said: "Although we have not now played for four weeks, a good training session with York City Knights and another session tonight playing semi-contact games will hopefully have sharpened the players up and got them closer to match fitness."

The only injury worries for coach Simon Baynes are himself (eye), Jamie Daniel (groin) and Ian Calpin (chin).

Selby Warriors will visit Keighley Town as they bid to reach round two - where the so-called prize would be a long trip to NCL division two pace-setters Wath Brow Hornets.

The Warriors' bus will set off from the New Inn at Barlby at noon, picking up at the Londsborough (12.15pm) and the Horse and Jockey, Eggborough (12.30pm). Any supporters will be welcome on board.

York Acorn, who safely secured their place in round two, have no game to replace the Heworth fixture.

York Groves, knocked out of the cup last week, will want to improve their Pennine League division four form and have the perfect chance as they visit bottom club Undercliffe.

Groves are just one place and two points above their hosts but a win could lift them into a pack of clubs all on the same number of points.

Updated: 09:40 Thursday, January 16, 2003