YORK City Knights half-back Scott Yeaman will no doubt be pinpointing the men to watch ahead of the TXU Energi Challenge Cup tie against Skirlaugh Bulls tomorrow.

For the 20-year-old scrum-half knows the Hull amateur side well, having had four good months there before joining the Knights.

But although he had a word of warning, he reckoned York - who were wanting to prove last week's promising first display against Hull KR was not just a flash in the pan - should overcome the third round banana-skin.

"They're all good players," he told the Evening Press of Skirlaugh. "Colin Brown (scrum-half) is probably on everybody's list but there are a few of them who are a very good standard. They can all win games.

"They're a good set of lads. They'll work hard and are well-organised, but our intensity, speed and power should see us through."

Skirlaugh lie fourth in the top amateur rank, the National Conference League premier division, and will go second if they win their game in hand, while their Cup pedigree is also well known.

But Yeaman countered: "Everyone here is up for it, possibly more so than last week. We set our standard and we've got to keep beating it each week."

Yeaman has another reason to look forward to the tie more than most, as he is a big Hull fan and running out at the Boulevard - the tie was switched to Hull's old ground from Skirlaugh's home venue - would be like walking on hallowed turf.

He has played there before while with Hull's Alliance in 2001, but it will be the first time the former Hull KR and York Wasps number seven has played a first-team match there.

"It's a great draw for me all round," he pointed out. "I supported Hull as a kid and it would be nice to play back there."

Yeaman has already proved he knows the way to the whitewash, having scored four touchdowns in five starts for York Wasps last year and another after coming on as substitute for the Knights against Hull KR last week.

He is due to start on the bench again tomorrow but would no doubt love to get on the scoresheet once more.

"I spoke to the Knights about a week before the draw was made but didn't sign until after it," he said. "Obviously I'm very excited about the match."

As for the competition itself, he added: "It's every rugby player's dream to play in the Challenge Cup and win it.

Updated: 09:52 Saturday, January 25, 2003