YORK Wasps and amateurs Heworth were today hoping for some home comforts in the draw for the next round of the Challenge Cup - and both would be ecstatic with a derby.

The Villagers, who made it through to the third round with a derby defeat of York Acorn, are one of 15 amateur sides in the hat, where they will be joined by the 19 Northern Ford Premiership clubs, including the city's professional club, York Wasps.

Both clubs accept that if they are drawn to face each other interest would be massive.

York Wasps chief executive Ann Garvey said: "Heworth would be a nice one.

"They've got a good following and I think the whole of York would be interested to see who comes out on top. But our concern is getting a home draw."

The draw will be made at 7.10pm tonight live on BBC GMR - a radio station which can be picked up in specific places around York - and the ties will be played on the weekend of January 26/27.

Since 1994, the NFP clubs have been guaranteed home advantage in a bid to ensure the ties attract higher gates, but bigger crowds have never really materialised and so, this season, the likes of Heworth can be handed a home tie.

Villagers' spokesman Ken Sykes explained that amateur outfits could expect to generate just as big a gate, if not bigger, than many NFP clubs.

"Whoever we play the likelihood is we would probably get a bigger attendance if we played at home. It generates a bit more interest among the amateur clubs' supporters than the NFP clubs.

"We played Batley Bulldogs in the third round last year and I think we would have got a bigger crowd if we'd played at home.

"We've indicated to the Rugby Football League that if we are drawn at home we would want to play at our own ground.

"It is subject to it satisfying minimum standards but I don't think we would have any problems."

He added: "It's all in the luck of the draw. To get York Wasps would be very nice but what we're looking for at first is a home draw.

"We're not just thinking about the financial side. To play at home gives us a better chance of causing an upset."

In the meantime, Heworth are preparing for Saturday's National Conference League division two encounter at home to Dewsbury Moor, with coaches Phil Sturdy and Brendan Carlyle expecting no new injury worries after the festive break.

Sykes said: "We beat them last time but I think they've done a bit better since then so we won't be taking anything for granted."

Updated: 11:26 Thursday, January 03, 2002