ALMOST ten years ago to the day, York Wasps - then Ryedale York - played a Challenge Cup tie at Headingley.

Derek Foster's Second Division team met the mighty Leeds in front of 5,000 people and bowed out of the competition with a brave 48-6 defeat.

In February 1995, York were there again for a fifth round tie watched by nearly 10,000, which ended in a 44-14 defeat.

Tomorrow, York return to the famous old ground for their first Cup tie there since then, but this time the opposition are not Super League giants but minnows Milford Marlins, the amateur club based just down the road.

It will be an entirely different kettle of fish, but according to Wasps stalwart Mick Ramsden, who played in both those previous ties against Leeds, the players will still have to be on their mettle.

"We'll be approaching the game with the same attitude as we've had for our other games," he told the Evening Press.

"A good thing is that, because the opposition won't be as good, it will give us the opportunity to put the things we've done in training into practice.

"Most of the teams we've played have been top NFP sides and we've not been able to get into the swing of things. We're needing to play teams of a lesser standard in order to gel and get the game-plan working."

Ramsden - now recovered from a neck problem that forced him to miss last week's trip to Rochdale - is one of only three players from the York ranks ten years ago still at Huntington Stadium.

Winger-turned-second-row Leigh Deakin and hooker Alan Pallister are the others, but neither will feature in tomorrow's third round tie - Deakin is ruled out with a broken jaw and Pallister is lacking of match fitness.

Ramsden, though, can't wait to return to the grand old stadium, albeit in different circumstances.

"Before we were just told to go and enjoy it as playing at Headingley is a big thing," said the 30-year-old former York Civil Service second row.

"This is a bit different because Milford will be more relaxed and it will be their big day as well.

"Our game-plan is to have a big first 20 minutes and show our dominance as best we can and from then go on and win the game.

"From our point of view, we're not expecting to run points in straight away, but play for field position, keep possession and dominate early on. We're expecting to reap the benefits as the game wears on."

He added: "There will be a different kind of pressure to normal. We're expected to win and they're not. They will be up for it and running around giving their all. But I'm certain that if we've got the right attitude we'll come good."

Ramsden has particularly fond memories of the 1995 trip to Headingley, albeit in defeat.

"I played against Ellery Hanley and the likes of Craig Innes that day, which was something to remember," he said.

"Headingley has the best set-up, the best changing rooms and a great playing surface. Obviously there won't as big a crowd this time but it's a good feeling to play there."

Ramsden might have enjoyed some good times with York, but he has also had to endure the bad, not least defeat to amateur opposition.

Wasps were famously beaten 10-6 by West Hull in 1996 and 21-14 by Dudley Hill the following year, with Ramsden involved in '96 before moving for a two-year spell at Wakefield.

He said: "Alan Pallister summed it up after training on Tuesday. He played when we got beat and he just said it's something we've never lived down.

"It's not a good thing to have hanging over your head and we will all be desperate for it not to happen again."

</bullet> Read Peter Martini's Internet Wasps match report by logging on to www.thisisyork.co.uk on Sunday night.

Updated: 10:26 Saturday, January 26, 2002