LEAGUE stragglers Heworth are praying for a dramatic change in fortunes on Saturday when they face premier division high-fliers West Hull in the second round of the Powergen Challenge Cup.

A lucrative place in the third round of the competition - where professional teams are thrown into the hat - is at stake, plus a chance to re-ignite the flagging league fortunes in Arriva Trains Conference division two.

More than 33 league places separate the two teams but Heworth are hoping they can throw the form book out the window and book a place in the third round in true underdog style.

Player-coach Brendan Carlyle said: "They are probably one of the best teams in the country but you never know on the day with it being a cup game. Hopefully our lads will raise their game for the occasion and give it a real go."

Waiting at the other end of the 80 minutes is a ticket to the third round where professional teams from National Division One and Two are added to the hat with a mouth-watering clash against York City Knights a genuine possibility. Bramley, Oldham and, most recently Batley, have all encountered the Villagers in the past in the competition.

"That is one of the things that will help inspire the lads for the game, knowing they could play a professional team in the next round," said Carlyle. "They have played professional teams before and really enjoyed it. Most of the players have now played against professionals and would love to get their teeth into them again - especially with the season we've had so far."

A place in the third round could also lead to a cash injection for the club with a share of the gate receipts going to each team.

But first they must get past West Hull and even though they showed some signs of bucking their recent dour league form by running in five tries on Saturday, the 11 romped home by Rochdale Mayfield kept them firmly in the bottom two with only two wins this season.

The 58-26 defeat may not have been the best preparation for the cup but the squad is 'not looking too bad' according to Carlyle, with most available for selection. Carl Barrow will definitely be back in contention and hopes are high that stand-off Dan Briggs, who has had a spell with pro club York, will be fit to return to the fold.

Heworth 'A' are without a match this weekend.

Updated: 10:32 Thursday, December 11, 2003