Heworth'S Silk Cut Challenge Cup opponents, Batley Bulldogs, are to part company with boss Jon Sharp just a week before the two teams meet for their third-round tie.

The former Hull forward is to quit as head coach of the Northern Ford Premiership club just seven months into the job to become assistant to Tony Smith at Super League outfit Huddersfield Giants.

Sharp, the former assistant to Andy Kelly at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, will step down after Batley's NFP match against Hull KR on Sunday.

National Conference League club Heworth will no doubt hope the change-around will increase their chances of causing a massive cup upset, however Sharp's move has been made with the consent of Batley, who have formed close links with their Super League neighbours.

Bulldogs director David Ward will now take control of team afffairs, in conjunction with alliance coach Paul Storey. Ward, a former Leeds and Great Britain hooker, had stepped down to make way for Sharp in June last year.

Updated: 11:57 Friday, January 19, 2001