TWICKENHAM heroes Malton and Norton will need to regenerate their cup-fighting spirit if they are to make progress in the Junior Cup.

After winning the Tetley Bitter Vase in such great style at Rugby Union headquarters last season, Pat Stephenson's team have been elevated to the Junior Cup.

They have been handed a difficult home tie with big-recruiting Yorkshire One side Hull, which should attract a good crowd to the Gannock tomorrow.

Hull are led by player-coach Gary Pearce, who joined them from Pocklington towards the end of last season.

However, another former Pock player, Sammy Anderson, will be absent from the pack as he has dislocated a shoulder.

Hull are blessed with plenty of pace in the backs with former York Wasps RL speedster Leroy McKenzie on one wing and another RL player Brad Hepi in the centre.

Hepi was once a target for York Wasps RL when Dean Robinson was coach and has been playing with Castleford Tigers. The Kiwi has also played with Doncaster, Rochdale and Hull.

Malton, who will be facing a side who play two divisions higher, have problems at prop where both Carl Rushworth and Richard Ellis are unavailable so veteran Steve Riddolls steps into the breach.

Another former York Wasps favourite, Leigh Deakin, has signed for York but may not play for the Clifton Park side for at least another fortnight.

York have named a 20-strong squad for tomorrow's first round Intermediate Cup tie against Yarnbury, who like York, play in Yorkshire One.

They may have to reshape their back division as both Arkle brothers, scrum half James (concussion) and centre Sam (cracked rib), sustained injuries in last week's league opener against Sheffield Tigers.

Into the squad comes Nigel Durham whose duties as York Cricket Club's skipper are now over. He will take the place of James Arkle.

Aussie centre Damon Smith, if he recovers from an ankle injury in time, should also play some part in the game.

It could all lead to some reorganisation of the backs where the presence of Tom Copeland, who played at full-back last week, will be a crucial factor.

Backs Sean Bass and Joe Brown return to first team duty as do forwards Matt Halifax and Simon Humphries.

Nathan Harding will make his debut at hooker in place of Rob Allen with his place at prop likely to be taken by Nick Hare. This, with the inclusion of Halifax, should give York the solid platform that they were missing last week.

Pocklington face Bridlington at Percy Road for the first time in several seasons.

Brid are one league above Pock in the union structure so Pock will be looking for a good Intermediate Cup scale.

They will be without Steve Wilcock, who is unavailable, but farmer Darren Smith, a former Pocklington skipper, will come in at prop for his first appearance of the season.

Several players in the backs face late fitness tests so skipper Mark Flloyd won't know of his make-up of his three-quarters until shortly before kick-off.

York RI received a bye in the Tetley's Bitter Vase opening round so have arranged first and second team games against Modernians at New Lane.

Player-coach Steve Fawcett will rest a back injury, while Steve Baker also misses out with a neck injury and centre Ericson Atkins could be out for about a month with a knee injury.

Steve Harland comes into the backs, Chris Austin replaces Fawcett and Manu Foto looks set for his first game of the campaign at No 8.

Updated: 12:19 Friday, September 14, 2001