Under-pressure York Wasps will put their pride on the line tomorrow as they bid to avoid an unenviable hat-trick.

REVENGE MISSION: Mark Cain, who is one of four York survivors from the Dudley Hill debacle three years ago

Amateurs Dudley Hill return to Huntington Stadium almost three years to the day since their infamous Silk Cut Challenge Cup giant-killing feat.

York's 21-14 defeat was the second time they had been dumped out of the competition by amateur opposition following West Hull's success two years previous.

But despite their poor start to the Northern Ford Premiership campaign, there are no fears that they will fall victim to another humiliating exit.

Four members of the current first team squad - Mark Cain, Alan Pallister, Rich Hayes and Andy Preston - were among the red faces that day.

And that has created a light-hearted split in the camp ahead of tomorrow's third round showdown, according to assistant coach John Paterson.

"There are two moods in the camp which should give the same outcome. Some are saying 'I played last time and it's not going to be me again' and the others are saying 'I didn't play last time and it's not going to be me this time' so there is a bit of light-hearted banter between those that played and those that didn't," said Paterson.

"The mental attitude and professionalism of the players since that defeat is totally different. We will let Dudley Hill worry about us, not us worry about them."

Despite the gulf which has now emerged between the NFP and the amateur leagues, there is no doubt Dudley Hill will fancy their chances.

They are still coached by the man who masterminded York's downfall last time, Kelvin Lockett, and are the form team in the National Conference premier division having won their last five matches.

However Paterson said confidence in the York camp was high despite losing four out the first five games.

"They realise they're only a young side and only learning their trade," stressed Paterson. "There is nobody with the experience in the middle to pick their heads up when they make a mistake but they know they are only making those mistakes because they are trying things.

"They are all prepared to work hard and rectify it so the mood in the camp is reasonable considering the results we've had."

For the first time this season the Wasps have the luxury of choosing from the same squad of players for the second successive week.

Although centres Rob Lee and Garry Atkins are still injured, York picked up no fresh knocks in the defeat at Rochdale.

That means Darren Callaghan retains the full-back role which he performed so competently while Andy Preston again starts at scrum-half.

The team was being named at a training session today but Paterson said any other changes would only be tactical. One possible omission is winger Matt Woodcock who has been suffering with flu so his place could be taken by Kevin Gray. Second rower Andy Hill should recover from a head cold.

Ex-York centre Andy Wilson, a member of the victorious Dudley Hill last time, will be hoping for a repeat upset. He joined the Wasps later in that 1997 season but is now back with the Bradford amateurs.

Another member of that giantkilling team was BARLA international prop Mark Todd who returns to the side after missing the last two games with a rib cartilage injury. Key men for Dudley Hill will be stand-off Gordon Long and hooker Dean Blankley, both formerly of Bramley.

York: from Callaghan, McKenzie, Austerfield, Hargrave, Woodcock, Gray, Cain, Preston, Hayes, Dobson, Hagan, S Hill, A Hill, Booth, Darley, Judge, McTigue, Pallister, McCracken.

Dudley Hill: from Whitaker, Barnett, Exley, Brown, Bingley, Johnson, Walsh, Long, Whiteley, Todd, Wartley, Blankley, Haley, Vaicekauskas, Rossi, Wilson, Chapman.

Referee: Richard Silverwood (Dewsbury)

Kick-off: 3pm

Back seat driver Dean

York Wasps coach Dean Robinson has handed over temporary control of the team to his assistant John Paterson.

Robinson is taking a back seat for the next two or three weeks due to a "personal injury" so Paterson will hold the reins at training and possibly on match days.

Robinson will still have the final say in team matters but will not be able to take part in the physical side of the job.

Chief executive Ann Garvey said: "John Paterson has got to report back and get everything passed by Dean. The physical side will be done by John and the overseeing by Dean who is still selecting the team."

She said it was impossible to determine how long the situation would last but hoped it would only be short term.

"Hopefully it is not going to be a long drawn out situation. We're fully behind Dean, unfortunately it couldn't have come at a worse time when we're not having such a good run but there is not a lot we can do about it expect wish him the best and hope he can get back quickly," she added.

Paterson's first game in charge will be in the Silk Cut Challenge Cup third round clash with Dudley Hill tomorrow. However, Robinson, who will continue to watch the match videos, may still decide to attend the game depending on his condition on the day.

See Di's Diary

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