TALENTED York Wasps half-backs Mark Cain and Darren Callaghan put their blossoming partnership to its toughest test tomorrow when they come face to face with the one-time best of British.
Veterans Garry Schofield and Mike Ford bring their improving Bramley side to Huntington Stadium in what should be a fascinating half-back duel.
The former Great Britain stars, both aged 33, will need all their international experience to counter the buzzing young pretenders who, at 22, are among the brightest prospects in the Northern Ford Premiership.
But Wasps coach Dean Robinson said the daunting prospect held no fears for his dynamic duo. "They are relishing the opportunity, they have been buzzing all week about it. It's great for them to come up against arguably two of the best half-backs we've produced in recent times and will give them some idea of how they're performances are lying if they want to achieve great things.
"Schofield and Ford may be past their best but they are still firing on all cylinders. They are a formidable half back pairing but I feel sure Mark and Daz will do themselves great credit on the day. It's a sign of their confidence that they are looking forward to it so much."
Bramley have won all three games since former Hull and Leeds star Schofield joined them from Doncaster to ease player-coach Ford's stand-off problems.
That is a fact acknowledged by Robinson who said: "There is no doubt they are the form side in this division.
"We follow Bramley's fixtures so we have seen them on video every week while watching our next opposition and have seen them steadily improve throughout the season.
"Garry has great awareness but his main strength is his tactical kicking game which has been destroying sides over the last couple of weeks. We have been practising to defend his kicking game and the wings, centres and full back will have to be on full concentration for 80 minutes to diffuse it."
Robinson has his usual selection problems and could find himself a player short. Steve Hill is still out with a dead leg, Lea Tichener is ruled out after aggravating his damaged left shoulder against Doncaster, Iefata Sini completes his four-match suspension and Craig Booth is still away on honeymoon.
There is also a doubt over Mick Hagan and if he fails to overcome a shoulder injury then Robinson will be forced to draft in an Academy player or rush through a loan signing today.
Skipper John Strange switches to the centre to accommodate the returning Jamie Benn at full back with Shaun Austerfield dropping to the bench.
A familiar name in the Bramley side will be former New Earswick All Black Dan Potter who is likely to start in the centre. Definitely out is prop Andy Proctor with a broken jaw while there are doubts over Papua New Guinea international back row forward Tom O'Reilly (calf) and former Hull Sharks powerhouse Maea David (knee).
Wasps: Benn, McKenzie, Strange, Goddard, Deakin, Cain, Callaghan, Hagan, Pallister, Precious, Darley, Ramsden, Edwards. Subs: Preston, Judge, Austerfield, Lambert.
Bramley: (from) A Gibbons, Wray, D Gibbons, Potter, Render, Schofield, Ford, David, Gibson, Freeman, McDonald, McAllister, O'Reilly, Webster, Embleton, Horner, Currie, Freeman.
Referee: Colin Morris (Huddersfield)
Kick-off: 3pm
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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