MILFORD Marlins might be the underdogs against York Wasps but their coach, Paul Cook, certainly knows the right recipe for achieving victory at Headingley.

The Challenge Cup tie between the National Conference League minnows and the Northern Ford Premiership professionals has been switched to the famous old home of Leeds Rhinos, which lies just 500 yards from Milford's base.

And for Marlins' rookie coach, Cook, that can only add to an already special occasion - as he will be returning to an old stomping ground.

He enjoyed several seasons at Headingley with Leeds Rhinos, having made his way through the junior set-up to the first team there, before going on to play for Super League rivals Bradford and Huddersfield, as well as Hunslet, for whom he scored the NFP Grand Final-clinching try in 1999, and Doncaster.

The utility back also played against Wasps that year, kicking two goals in Hawks' 15-14 win at South Leeds Stadium.

But an ongoing groin injury cut his playing days short and, at the tender age of 25, he is now enjoying his first season as a coach.

"Headingley has been a good ground for me," he told the Evening Press.

"I've still got a lot of friends there and I spent what I believe was the best part of my playing career there.

"But this is a different chapter in my rugby league career now. Coaching is something I've always been interested in."

Coaching is something he seems good at too. Milford have struggled in recent seasons, but Cook has now got them on the verge of the promotion places in NCL division two - above York's two leading amateur clubs, Acorn and Heworth - and has taken them to the third round of the Cup for the first time since the late 1980s.

As a reward, the Rhinos have allowed the Marlins to stage Sunday's tie at the grand old Test venue.

"None of my team will have experienced anything like Headingley," added the former England international, who is joined on the staff list at Milford by former Bramley and Hunslet coach Peter Jarvis.

"The changing rooms, the facilities and the stadium are all top drawer, and what they've put on for us in the whole week leading up to the match has been outstanding.

"It's all a big boost for us, and to go to Headingley and play hopefully in front of a decent crowd will be a great experience."

He added: "It's going to be difficult. York are a professional club and I've played in their league before and I know there are some skilful players there.

"But if we prepare well in training and individually there's no reason why we can't turn in a good performance and push them all the way."

ONLY two teams will be playing but fans from four clubs are likely to boost the crowd at Headingley tomorrow.

Unfortunately for York, three of the four sets of supporters will be shouting for Milford Marlins.

The amateur club have strong ties with neighbours Leeds Rhinos and former NFP outfit Bramley, who are reportedly keen to return to professional rugby league next season.

The Rhinos' proximity to Milford brings obvious links, while coach Paul Cook is a former Leeds star and the Marlins' pitch in Kirkstall is on the old Headingley RU Club precinct now owned by Leeds Rugby and Athletic Club, the Rhinos' parent company.

Meanwhile, Bramley RL Community Club Ltd are sponsoring the souvenir match programme and have written to shareholders and fans asking them to turn out in support of the Marlins.

Milford are also co-coached by former Bramley stalwart Peter Jarvis, while prop Eugene Currie and stand-off Marc Gibson are both ex-Villagers.

Milford press officer Jim Irons said: "We have good links with Bramley and if any amateur club is related to Leeds Rhinos it's Milford Marlins."

He added: "We have tried to borrow (Great Britain star) Barrie McDermott off them for tomorrow's game but unfortunately that was a no-go! Some players might turn up and watch, though."

A TEAM with perhaps a better chance than Milford of causing a Challenge Cup shock on Sunday are Skirlaugh, and they have a two-pronged Wasps connection.

The Hull outfit, mid-table in the NCL premier division, take on NFP strugglers Swinton Lions in the Cup third round as one of the few teams tipped to enjoy a giant-killing.

And it would be a particularly pertinent scalp for former professionals Colin Brown and Steve Robson.

Scrum-half Brown is a former Wasps and Rochdale Hornets player, while captain and prop Robson used to play at full-back with Wasps and Hull KR.

STILL on the subject of the Challenge Cup, it appears that one of the BBC's voices of rugby league, Jon Champion, will not be commentating on the live matches this season.

York-born Champion, a former St Peter' School pupil - a school more famed for its rugby union exploits than league - has been the man behind the mike for many a Challenge Cup match, but is now contracted to ITV and provides commentary on FA Premiership matches.

Updated: 10:48 Saturday, January 26, 2002