New Earswick All Blacks are looking forward to an actual cup match on Saturday against a team with a knack of winning in York.

All Blacks literally walked into the third round tie of the Tetley's Yorkshire Cup after their first and second round opponents withdrew before kick off.

But this time will not be so easy against an East Hull team hungry for victory, high on quality and used to winning in these parts after lifting the Fairfax Cup at this year's York International 9s tournament.

All Blacks coach Simon Baynes joked: "We are hoping to get through to the final but we will actually have to play a match this time.

"It's going to be a tough match - there isn't a bad team comes out of that part of Hull.

"But we trained really well on Tuesday and we're looking forward to it."

Jamie Rhodes is rated at 50/50 to play after suffering from a knee and shoulder knock, while Carl Pallister has an Achilles strain and is said to be struggling to make the 17.

But on the upside, All Blacks are regularly counting 28 at training, giving Baynes plenty of options, and the first team plenty of motivation to hit top form week in, week out.

He said: "The good thing is that everyone knows you can't take anything for granted. They have got to do something in games and they have got to do something in training - they can't just turn up."

Kick-off at White Rose Avenue is at 2pm.

There is one absentee from the York Groves team for their Pennine League division five game at Huddersfield Sharks.

Fullback Mark Arnold is unavailable and his place goes to high scorer Chris Thompson, who moves from centre, with Chris Corr taking Thompson's spot. Everyone else is fit. Paul Hagan has recovered from injury and is back in the squad.

Groves are confident but taking nothing for granted for Saturday's trip following their big win over Park Amateurs last weekend. Huddersfield Sharks lost their first two games but bounced back with a win last weekend.

Selby Warriors go to Wyke for a Pennine League division four mid-table tussle, and Heworth 'A' have had their game against Upton 'A' cancelled.

Updated: 10:12 Thursday, October 06, 2005