Heworth and York Wasps have been handed differing draws in the third round of the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup.

Plucky underdogs Heworth have a repeat of last year's trip to Batley Bulldogs, while the Wasps will have to negotiate the perilous challenge of National Conference division two outfit Milford Marlins away.

Having taken on, and lost heavily against Batley last season, Heworth have one or two old scores to settle.

"It's not a bad draw for us," said club spokesman Ken Sykes. "We played them last season and got beat 70-0, so there is every incentive to do a lot better this time out.

"I think they have still got a decent side, with their scrum-half Glen Tomlinson, who ran the show against us last time, still there.

"The thing is, it is always going to be hard for amateur clubs against the professional clubs, but we didn't do ourselves justice last time.

"It will be a good opportunity for the players to stand up and be counted.

"There will be some shocks in this round, but whether or not this will involve us, who knows? First off, it is for us to go out and give a good standing of ourselves and then see what comes from there."

With the role played by Tomlinson last season still fresh in his mind, Sykes added: "Everything revolves around him, so we will have to find some way of stopping him legally. We'll have to get in his face."

York Wasps will be taking their tie against Milford - who entertain York Acorn in the league tomorrow - every bit as seriously as a Northern Ford Premiership game.

Chief executive Ann Garvey said: "Obviously we are disappointed not to have got a home draw.

"We take every amateur side seriously, especially a team such as Milford who are third in their division of the National Conference.

"I don't think any amateur side will be easy, especially when they have reached this side of the competition."

The Wasps were today awaiting news on where the tie will be played, with doubts whether Milford's ground comes up to scratch.

Garvey confirmed: "I don't know where the game will be played. I need to speak to Milford and will be advised by the Rugby Football League."

If the ground is deemed not to meet the necessary requirements, the tie will have to be moved to a nearby professional ground - with Headingley one possibility.

Both ties are scheduled to take place on Sunday, January 27.

Meanwhile, Heworth are due to hold a pitch inspection at 11am tomorrow to see whether their National Conference division two tie against Dewsbury Moor will go ahead.

Challenge Cup round three draw: Huddersfield v Wath Brow, Sheffield v Leigh East, Gateshead v Featherstone, Castleford Lock Lane v Doncaster, Oldham v West Hull, Barow v Oulton, Milford v YORK WASPS, Ellenborough v Hull KR, Swinton v Skirlaugh, Woolston v Hunslet, Keighley v St Gaudens, Rochdale v Farnworth, Wigan St Patricks v Dewsbury, Batley v HEWORTH, Whitehaven v Dewsbury Celtic, Halton Simms Cross v Leigh, Chorley v Redhill, Workington v Toulose. Matches to be played on January 26-27.

Updated: 12:04 Friday, January 04, 2002