What are the odds of York Wasps being drawn to face neighbouring amateurs in the third round of the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup?

York Acorn and Heworth were amazingly paired together in round two and were playing today to decide who would progress to the stage in which Northern Ford Premiership clubs join the competition.

Could you imagine the excitement in the city if the winners then got to take on their professional neighbours? Come on, RFL, fix the draw!

On a similar note, what would Leo Epifania do if the Army side were to beat the odds and get through to the third round of the Challenge Cup - and be drawn to face Wasps?

The York boss has helped out with coaching for the much-improved Forces but whether he would or should take a few sessions in the run-up to such a clash is debatable.

Third round games are scheduled for the weekend of January 26 and 27.

Staying with the amateur game, it appears Lee Crooks has picked up his playing boots again.

Wasps' coach last season was spotted playing for Castleford Lock Lane this last week in their defeat of Ideal Isberg.

The 38-year-old was forced to come out of retirement for Wasps last term because of depleted numbers, and he has now done it again for the National Conference League division one outfit - this time probably more through choice than necessity.

He starred in the recent Great Britain versus Australia Legends Series - being the hero in the first match when he kicked the equalising points late on - and perhaps got bitten by the playing bug again.

Jonny Liddell joined the early leaders in the Guildford Construction/ Evening Press player of the year standings thanks to his man of the match display at Barrow on Sunday.

He picked up three points for that accolade but still stays a point behind both Michael Docherty and Carl Hall, who added to their tallies.

Hall, deemed the second-best player against Whitehaven, picked up another two points against Barrow for a trusty performance in difficult circumstances, while Docherty was awarded the remaining point for another hard-working display.

The Wasps' man of the match in each game receives three points, the second best player two points and the third best one point. Whoever tops the table at the end of the season will receive £350 courtesy of Guildford Construction, with the runner-up winning £150.

Standings: Docherty 4pts, Hall 4, Liddell 3, Precious 1.

This column last week highlighted the form of ex-Wasp Rich Goddard, who has the longest scoring run in the Northern Ford Premiership.

Maybe it proved a good omen for the Sheffield skipper, who not only extended that run to 23 matches with a personal tally of 14 points in the Eagles' 34-2 defeat of Gateshead, but also took the man of the match accolade.

Another former Wasp, Gareth Dobson, also scored for the Eagles.

Goddard is pictured above in action for Sheffield against Wasps in June last season. He scored a try and kicked five goals in the Eagles' 56-0 win that day.