YORK City Knights chief Richard Agar has already had numerous Challenge Cup battles with opposing coach Jon Sharp, and both have had the triumphant honour of lifting the famous old trophy.

But while those contests were played out as kids, Sunday's clash at the McAlpine Stadium will see the two go head-to-head for the real deal.

Agar's men take on Sharp's Huddersfield Giants team in the quarter-final, where a victory for the Knights would rank among the biggest Cup shocks of all time.

But Agar has at least got some experience of getting one over on his old mate and he was today re-living those epic Cup battles of yesteryear, when as kids growing up in Featherstone the two of them, plus their respective brothers and mates, used to play together.

He told the Evening Press: "When Fev won the Cup in 1983 my dad (Allan) was coach and the trophy was at our house for a few weeks - and we played in the street for the honour of lifting it.

"Whoever won the game had to go to our front door and have the Cup presented to them - and it was the real Challenge Cup.

"I suppose that kind of thing wouldn't happen these days."

Agar, 32, has spent the bulk of his life living on the same street as Sharp, who is four years his senior. But even so, he will not ask for any tips from his old mate.

"We both grew up down the same street when we were kids, then when Jon got married we both ended up living a few doors down from each other again," Agar explained. "Basically I've spent the best part of my life living a few doors away from him.

"We don't see each other that regularly at present because we've both got young families and what-have-you.

"But I saw him on Boxing Day and we're still mates, and I will see him before the game and then I'll wish him all the best afterwards.

"But I won't ring him especially to find anything out. I've got enough tapes on them and the stuff we need."

Sharp's brother Tim will be known to some York fans as he played for Featherstone and York Wasps a few years back.

Agar added: "I actually saw his other brother, Robin, not long ago and we had a good chat and a laugh about it."

Updated: 10:30 Wednesday, March 24, 2004