York Acorn and New Earswick All Blacks start out on the Wembley glory trail on Saturday. They are both involved in the first round of the Silk Cut Cup Challenge Cup.

Acorn have probably the toughest task. The National Conference League third division side travel to Rothwell to take on first division outfit Oulton Raiders.

At least Acorn will be bolstered by last week's great league victory against Crosfields in which skipper and loose forward Darren Callaghan was the star of the show.

If Callaghan can reproduce his best form and in-form players like centre Gareth Lloyd and pack trio Carl Rollinson, Alan Hebblethwaite and Michael Lumby play to their maximum potential then anything is possible.

New Earswick All Blacks also face a difficult task when they entertain Castleford-based Yorkshier Cup finalists Townville at White Rose Avenue.

All Blacks coach Paddy Bradford will be seeking to take his side into new territory. This will be the fourth time they have entered the Challenge Cup and they have yet to get beyond the first round.

Yorkshire League side Townville will be a tough nut to crack, particularly if All Blacks don't get some of their injured players back on the park.

Inspirational scrum half Alex Davies and stand off Mike Harrison both face fitness tests before Saturday's showdown, while Dave O'Connell, who came off during last Saturday's 22-8 defeat at London Skolars with a damaged elbow, may be rushed back into action.

All Blacks spokesman Martin Farrington said: "It will be tough. I'm sure they will be coming thinking they can take our scalp. We will need to be at our best to go through."

Heworth, who kick off their Silk Cut campaign in a fortnight's time, are at home to Leigh Miners in a match they must win to pull away from the relegation zone.

Both clubs are locked on 10 points each and victory will nudge one of the sides towards mid-table comfort.

Fans of the Black and Whites probably won't need to be reminded that Miners ran riot against Heworth on the opening day of the season.

The Lancashire side led the Conference for the early part of the season but have slipped to fourth from bottom just one place above the Villagers.

Leigh have a match in hand and victory will be crucial for a Heworth side which showed a marked improvement of late when scoring three tries in a 20-18 defeat at the hands of Castleford Lock Lane last Saturday.

The return of former York RL scrum half Chris Hammerton was a welcome boost last week and club spokesman Ken Sykes said: "Chris does provide us with much more scope and he brings our forwards onto the ball well."

A doubt for the four-pointer clash is winger Dave Woodhouse who twisted his knee last week, but forward Steve Barnard has an outside chance of returning after being out with a shoulder injury for several weeks. However, he has been unable to do much training.

The key to the match for Heworth will be containing stand off Mike Warburton, a dangerous play-maker who is capable of bringing Leigh's speedy young backs driving into play.

York Groves entertain New Earswick All Blacks 'A' in a York and District Accident Cup game (2pm).

Groves, having their best season for several years are looking forward to the challenge of a derby game with confidence. Apart from long-term injury victim prop Simon Moat, coach Alan Mitchell should have a full squad to select from.

Several of the terriers are having fine a fine campaign with Neil Walker outstanding at full-back and Adie Beales and John Rushworth doing well on the wings.

Cup holders York Acorn 'A' travel to Barlby to meet Yorkshire League division three side Selby Warriors (2pm) in a repeat of last season's final.

Experienced campaigners Ian Hann, Gary Taylor and Andy Bell, coupled with the improving youngsters Dave Lonsdale and Richard Stewart will be the key factor for Acorn 'A' whose coach Kevin Warters is stepping down at the end of this season.

Anyone interested in taking up the reins should contact Alfie Hill on 01904 for further details.

The 'A' team are also looking for someone to take over the duties of secretary for the remainder of this season.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.