Heworth coach Harold Box will be relishing next week's Silk Cut Challenge Cup second round clash, as his side have been drawn to face his former club, Featherstone Lions.

Box left the Lions to take up his post at Elmpark Way in the close season, having been involved with his home town club, most latterly as chairman, for many years.

He also starred for neighbours Featherstone Rovers in a glittering playing career.

Heworth spokesman Ken Sykes said: "The tie has got an extra edge to it because Harold had a long association with Lions so he will be keen to put one over on them.

"We're happy we've got a home draw, and we've got a team from our own division (National Conference League division one)."

Box will be keen to avenge a 22-4 defeat last month, while the Lions - who knocked New Earswick All Blacks out of the Cup last season with a 44-4 win - also did the double over Heworth last term.

"We let ourselves down in the game earlier this season, especially in the first half, so we'll be looking for a better result," added Sykes.

With York Wasps and other Northern Ford Premiership sides joining the competition at the next stage and Super League clubs joining in round four, riches, in the form of professional opposition, could come the way of the victors.

The same goes for New Earswick All Blacks, who were also delighted to have been handed a home draw, albeit to NCL division two leaders Thatto Heath Crusaders.

The St Helens-based outfit hammered the York side earlier in the season 58-20, but All Blacks, on the back of two good victories, are quietly confident of turning the tables.

Spokesman Charles Rollinson said: "They've beaten us easily at their place but we went with an understrength team that day and, with our best side out at home, we believe we can win the game.

"The main thing was to get a home draw and a team who are beatable.

"They are a good team - Hull Dockers are the only side to have beaten them in the league this year - but we do not feel they are unbeatable and I think we could give them a shock."

All Blacks could ask for tips on how to beat Thatto Heath from York Acorn, who entertain the Merseysiders in the NCL on Saturday, while another good pointer for the tie may come as All Blacks visit Keighley Albion (bus leaves 11.30am for 2pm kick off).

Second round draw: New Earswick All Blacks v Thatto Heath, Askham v Millom, Wigan Rose Bridge v Redhill, Siddal v Hull Dockers, Skirlaugh v Oulton, Walney Central v Queensbury or Charleston, Thornhill v Leeds Met Un, Saddleworth v Oldham St Anne's, Wigan St Judes v Widnes St Mary's, Royal Navy v Eccles, Rochdale Mayfield v Dudley Hill, Halton Simms v Shaw Cross, Wath Brow or The Army v Castleford Lock Lane, Woolston Rovers v Hensingham, HEWORTH v Featherstone Lions, Eastmoor v West Hull, Wigan St Patricks v Ideal Isberg, East Leeds v London Skolars, Newcastle Uni v Leigh Miners. Ties to be played on December 16/17