A lucrative tie with professional opposition is the bait for York's two remaining amateur clubs in the Silk Cut Challenge Cup.

Heworth and New Earswick All Blacks both have home advantage for their respective second round ties on Saturday (kick-off 1.30pm).

Victory would put them into the hat for next week's third round draw when Northern Ford Premiership clubs - including York Wasps - enter the fray.

But both York clubs face equally difficult hurdles in their bid to land money-spinning ties.

Heworth coach Harold Box has another chance to turn over his former club, Featherstone Lions, in a repeat of last month's National Conference clash.

Box was chairman of the Lions before taking over at Heworth at the start of the season. The two teams met for the first time since Box's switch in the NCL first division just a month ago when Featherstone triumphed 22-4 at Elmpark Way.

It was a disappointing performance by Heworth and Box will be hoping the magic of the cup helps his team to greater heights.

That cup magic has certainly spurred the Lions in recent years - they have reached the third round in each of the last three seasons and in 1998 defeated professional club Doncaster Dragons.

Last season they knocked out New Earswick in the second round before falling to Barrow Border Raiders.

Heworth have several long-term injuries and will be assessing knocks picked up in the last couple of weeks.

New Earswick can turn to neighbours York Acorn for a bit of advice about their opponents, Thatto Heath.

Acorn were well beaten 36-8 at home to the second division leaders last week. The All Blacks didn't fare much better when they travelled to St Helens back in September - Thatto Heath won that league encounter 58-20.

However, Heath should not underestimate the All Blacks, whose spokesman Charles Rollinson said: "We got a good hammering but we went with an under-strength team and it was hard conditions. We're underdogs, but with soft ground and in a one-off cup tie, we've got a chance."

New Earswick are still without Martin McTigue with a perforated ear drum and John Leach, who is halfway through a six match suspension following his dismissal for dissent against Cottingham Tigers.

Hooker Adie Robinson comes back into contention after spending a year in Australia, while Simon Malarkey and Dave Carling are both expected to return. They missed last week's defeat at Keighley Albion through work commitments.

The All Blacks will check on the availability of Lee McTigue and Rich Harrison, who may both have work commitments, plus Dan Wellard, who sustained a nose injury against Keighley.

Acorn are without a game as they were knocked out of the cup in the first round. Their 'A' team play host to high-flying Dewsbury Moor 'A' in Yorkshire League division four (ko 2pm).

York Groves put their leadership of Yorkshire League division five to the test on Saturday when they take on Ryhill in a top of the table clash.

Following last week's victory over Scarborough Sharks which shot Groves to the top, they face an even trickier task against second-placed Ryehill at Burdyke.

* York Acorn Ladies rugby league team produced their best display of the season to stun their Huddersfield visitors 22-8.

dianne.hillaby@ycp.co.uk