HARROGATE RUFC''S path towards Yorkshire Cup glory will be blocked by one of their former favourites in tonight's semi-final at Otley.

Peter Clegg, a product of York RI colts, captained the Claro Road side to the Cup in 1981, while in 1991 and 1992 he coached them to back-to-back crowns. And in the true romance of cup competitions, Gate's 1991 success came against Otley, the then National Four North champions.

However, Clegg resigned as Harrogate chief after the club's decision to appoint former British Lion Jeff Young as director of rugby and headed off to Otley - taking his winning touch with him.

Victory tonight would put him on course to getting his hands on the coveted cup once again.

"My success with Harrogate was a long time ago," said Clegg, who went on to follow his late dad's footsteps by coaching York RI. "A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. Otley are my club now and I'm extremely keen to see them win the cup.

"We will give them the respect that they deserve but we are the higher division team and we don't want to lose to a team from a lower division."

In that team could be a host of former Harrogate players, with Andrew Boyle, Ronnie Kelly and David Hall among those who have turned out for the Claro Roaders.

Among the Harrogate team which tasted the champagne moments of the early 1990s was fly-half Ralph Zoing - and he will now attempt to plot the downfall of his former master.

Zoing has made no secret about his desire to bring the Yorkshire Cup back to the town.

Team manager Graham Siswick, who was also involved in the Harrogate backroom set-up at that time, said: "The last few times we've met in the cup have been subdued because second and third teams have been put out, but this will be like the Yorkshire Cup of old.

"It will be the best side we have got against the best side they've got. They will be favourites as they have home advantage and are in a higher division, but our players are certainly not overawed."

Otley old boy Mark Farrar, Paul Clark and Jeremy Marr all miss out, but big game player Peter Taylor returns.

Awaiting the winners in the final will be Wharfedale who dismantled John Bentley's Cleckheaton 56-3 last night.

Updated: 12:27 Wednesday, May 08, 2002