MINUTE'S silences are set to be held at amateur matches across York on Saturday as the city's rugby league fraternity remembers St John Ellis.

As reported in the Evening Press earlier this week, the York-born head coach of Doncaster Lakers died, aged 41, after a New Year's Eve training session. It is thought he suffered a heart attack.

A product of the old Southlands ARLC in York, Ellis went on to play for York, Castleford, South Queensland Crushers (in Australia), Bradford, Halifax, Keighley and Doncaster. He also won three Great Britain caps.

Heworth ARLC, York Acorn - for whom Gareth Lloyd, a nephew of Ellis, plays - and New Earswick All Blacks and York Groves are all likely to stage silences before their respective home matches.

Heworth kick off 2006 with a Powergen Challenge Cup first round tie versus Stanley Rangers.

The National Conference League side will be favourites to progress against the Yorkshire League's Rangers but it is a difficult encounter against a side who may hold a grudge given that Heworth won re-election to the Conference last year at the expense of Stanley.

Rangers were again turned down because of off-field deficiencies but may want to prove a point on the pitch.

Heworth spokesman Ken Sykes said: "I don't see it like that, but it will be an interesting game.

"They're a good club and a strong side in their league and their applications to get into the National Conference shows they have high ambitions."

The festive break will have helped the likes of Dan Briggs (hamstring) overcome niggling injuries, while Heworth will also welcome back player-coach Chris Smith and prop Phil Marwood following their jaunt to Las Vegas on a stag do for St Helens and Great Britain star Sean Long, a former team-mate of Smith's.

Acorn, exempt from the Cup until round two, host lowly Ideal Isberg in National Conference division one.

Isberg have an awful record on their travels but Acorn's joint-boss Paul Lumby says his side cannot be complacent.

"If we had played them before Christmas, form would have suggested it would be a home banker, but after three weeks off, the inactivity is a bit of a leveller.

"We're still very confident of consolidating our place in the top half but we can't take them lightly. The time off means we won't be in top nick so it's important we do the basics right."

The break has, however, seen minor injuries clear up and Lumby is pleased to have the problem of choosing a aide from a healthy squad.

"Competition for places is intense and team selection could be difficult," he said.

Acorn 'A' are also at home, to Underbank in Pennine League division three, while Heworth 'A' visit Hunslet Warriors in Yorkshire League division three.

Updated: 10:32 Thursday, January 05, 2006