by Peter Martini

WHEN Heworth skipper Brendan Carlyle runs out at Mount Pleasant tomorrow, some great memories will come flooding back.

The 33-year-old scored the decisive try for Doncaster against home team Batley on the final day of the 1993-94 season to secure a 10-5 victory and promotion to the old Stones Bitter Championship top flight for the South Yorkshire side.

He is now set to return to Mount Pleasant for the first time since then as his amateur charges look to cause one of the biggest Challenge Cup shocks in history.

Heworth take on Northern Ford Premiership outfit Batley Bulldogs at the third round stage of the Cup for the second time in successive seasons, having again beaten the odds to progress this far.

And Carlyle, who also made his debut for Doncaster against Batley, is eager to add another fond memory to his collection. "The ground holds great memories for me," he told the Evening Press.

"The last time I was there they had one of the biggest crowds Batley had ever had in recent times (4,500). It was going to be either us or Batley who went up and I scored the winning try.

"I was speaking to someone from Batley about it just the other day and they said the result broke their heart."

He added that he also came close to later joining the Bulldogs.

"When Pete Regan (then Doncaster coach) left to join Batley a couple of years later he wanted to take me with him but I decided to retire from professional rugby."

After spending a few years out of the game, Carlyle laced up his boots again for this season and re-signed for Heworth, for whom he had starred in the Yorkshire Cup-winning side of 1993-94, immediately before joining Doncaster.

And when the Villagers - relegated to division two of the National Conference League last season - parted company with coach Harold Box midway through this term, Carlyle was made co-coach alongside respected 'A' team boss Phil Sturdy.

"I'm loving it at the moment, especially the coaching aspect which is a different experience for me," said the half-back.

"The club seems to be doing reasonably well since we took over and confidence is back up."

For most of the players in the Heworth ranks, tomorrow's dj vu trip to Batley will be a chance to wipe out the memory of last season's third round 70-0 mauling.

This season, the Villagers memorably beat NCL premier division Ideal Isberg in round one and then, even more memorably, derby rivals York Acorn in round two. And, with the NFP clubs again entering the competition at this stage, they were rewarded with another trip to Mount Pleasant.

"I've tried to keep last year's game out of the players' minds," said Carlyle.

"Both teams will be different so there's no point looking at that result.

"We beat Acorn again last week which was a very good result and has set us up well. Hopefully it will get us on a roll and we can take it into tomorrow's game.

"It depends on the attitude of the players. In the past few weeks it's been really good and it's helped the defence get stronger.

"If we can hold them in the first half a lot of teams can run on enthusiasm and hopefully it will all come right for us."

Carlyle has also cited a recent example of a sporting shock to boost spirits.

"They've won four of their seven league games so far (including at 22-18 win at York) but they've played a lot of teams lower down the table," he said.

"I know there's a big step up from amateur to professional but if we get into the game early on you never know.

"Look at Leeds United. A lot of our players are Leeds fans and I've used their FA Cup defeat by Cardiff as an example. Shocks have happened before and will happen again."

The draw for the fourth round, when Super Leaguie clubs enter the competiion, will take place on Monday at the George Hotel, Huddersfield, at 7.30pm.

Updated: 10:33 Saturday, January 26, 2002