YORK Groves have the chance to pull off a major shock on Saturday as the GMB Union National Cup kicks off.

All five York and District clubs are in knock-out action, with the Terriers handed perhaps the toughest first-round test of the quintet against National Conference League club Cottingham Tigers.

The Hull-based outfit will be massive favourites to progress but Groves, struggling in Pennine League division four, have home advantage, playing the game at Oaklands.

Groves secretary Ian Colley said: "We will have to be on top form against the Tigers, who are mid-table in NCL division two.

"This is our first game since well before Christmas and the squad have been struggling with results and player availability.

"However, player-coach Simon Moat has no injuries to contend with and expects to have a full squad to select from."

Also facing a tough tie are NCL side Heworth.

The Villagers entertain Ince Rose Bridge, who, despite playing one level down in the amateur RL pyramid, have a good cup pedigree and indeed reached the final of this competition last year.

Bridge are also enjoying a good season this time around, having lost just one of their six North West Counties League premier division fixtures.

But Heworth, fresh from the elongated festive break, will have star back-row forward Steve Barnard (shoulder) back after a long injury, while Nicky Wilson (knee) could also return after a lengthy absence.

Heworth player-coach Brendan Carlyle said: "They will be a decent side but we will have to see how it goes.

"We don't know much about them other than the cup run they had last year.

"But we should think about our own performance, not the fact they reached the final last year."

Heworth's NCL rivals, York Acorn, have also been paired with a club from a lower league but they too are not counting their chickens.

The Blue and Golds visit Yorkshire League premier division outfit Dewsbury Celtic and spokesman Paul Lumby said: "They have had a good reputation over the years as one of the top sides in amateur rugby league, especially when they were in the NCL.

"They're now in the YL but since dropping out of the NCL have been able to pull up through the divisions, and they got to the final of the Yorkshire Cup not long ago.

"Their league results this season (one win from six) don't appear to be anything outstanding but we all know that going across to Dewsbury is never easy.

"Not all the top amateur sides play in the NCL and these kind of competitions usually prove that.

"YL sides always like to take the scalp of a NCL club so we know it will be very difficult but we would like a good cup run to keep our season alive."

The extra lay-off due to last week's postponement means some niggling injuries have cleared up and the only definite absentee at this stage is prop Alan Hebblethwaite, who has work commitments.

Lumby added: "Since the lads have come back after Christmas there's been plenty of enthusiasm and, despite the weather, numbers have been good."

Selby Warriors, mid-table in Yorkshire League division two, face an interesting tie away to Keighley Town, who have won just two of their eight Pennine League division one matches this season.

The Warriors were beaten by lowly White Hart & Graziers in the league last week, White Hart's first points of the campaign, so will want to bounce back swiftly.

New Earswick All Blacks, high-flying in YL division one, do not know much about their visitors, Ellenborough Rangers, other than the fact they are a strong Cumberland League top-flight outfit.

Most Cumbrian teams are traditionally better on home soil than away, but they play at a high standard and have a good cup pedigree.

They also knocked out York Groves at the same stage of this competition last year, winning 36-1.

All Blacks spokesman Simon Mallarkey said: "We don't know much about them other than the fact they have a good reputation.

"Their game against Groves last year was close up until half-time but Ellenborough ran away with it in the second half. We expect it will be tough."

All Blacks player-coach Simon Baynes will have a full squad to pick from should Dean Thomas return after a two-month lay-off with a knee problem.

All games, subject to the wintry weather, kick-off at 2pm, apart from Heworth's, which starts at 2.30pm. Cup holders West Hull and the other NCL premier division teams enter the competition in round two.

York Acorn 'A' are due to entertain runaway leaders Swillington in YL division two, while Heworth 'A' visit East Leeds 'A' in division three.

Updated: 10:05 Thursday, January 09, 2003