IT wasn’t the draw they wanted but coach Scott Rhodes says his York Acorn ARLC team are still looking forward to the test posed by the Carnegie Challenge Cup third round draw.

As reported by The Press, Acorn were eyeing a big pay-day, and preferably a derby against York City Knights, after battling past Conference premier division side Skirlaugh to reach the stage at which Championships clubs enter the competition.

But they were instead handed a March 25 trip to Championship One minnows Gateshead in Tuesday night’s draw.

“It’s mixed feelings really,” said Rhodes, whose side’s four wins from four record this year will next be tested by Wigan St Jude’s in a Conference division one clash on Saturday.

“Gateshead aren’t a particularly well-supported club. I think we would have preferred one of the Championships’ bigger clubs to generate some money for us.

“But we’re just happy to be in the third round. I take my hat off to the players – they’ve worked extremely hard and are doing what we’ve asked. We’re playing some good stuff at the moment.”

Thunder have not won for 26 matches so on paper represent one of the beatable teams – amateur clubs rarely topple semi-pro opposition – but they look stronger this season, losing by only two points to South Wales in their league opener having also run the Knights close in the Northern Rail Cup.

And Rhodes said: “In the last few weeks they’ve impressed a bit. Any game would have been hard. On the plus side, they might not be a team that will give us a battering, so to speak. We will hopefully be competitive against them. It’s a day out and the players are looking forward to the challenge. We’ll go with the mindset of looking for an upset. We’ll do our best.”

Acorn have lost in-form hooker Nick Speck to a broken collarbone, while stalwart Mike Embleton and Daryl North are also away for this Saturday’s Thanet Road clash (2pm).

But prominent players Nick Caldwell, Leigh Rientoul and impressive new recruit Martin Wood are back available.

Both sides won their opening league matches, St Jude’s beating Millom. Rhodes added: “You’ve got to play well to beat Millom so we’re expecting another tough game.”

Heworth go to Ovenden – who are unbeaten in two league games – on Saturday for their second match in Conference division two (2.30pm).

The Villagers, who lost their opener against Dewsbury Celtic, will be looking for former Knights academy prop Dan Hunter, man of the match that day, to shine again, and hope young half-back Tyler Craig comes through tonight’s outing with the Knights’ reserves unscathed.

Heworth ‘A’ follow up last week’s 16-12 War of the Roses win at North Yorkshire Stallions with a home game against Stanley Rangers ‘A’ (2.30pm), while Acorn ‘A’, narrow winners at Elland ‘A’ last week, host the Stallions (2.30pm).