ANOTHER training session with York City Knights has set York Acorn ARLC up nicely for their shot at Challenge Cup glory, according to coach Leigh Paul-Rientoul.

The Blue and Golds go to Myton Warriors on Saturday for their second round tie as they bid to reach round three for a second successive year, eyeing another potential money-spinning match-up with a semi-pro club.

Paul-Rientoul is expecting a tough task against a side who have replaced them in amateur rugby league's elite tier, the National Conference League premier division, especially with the likes of big prop Lee Fewless back at the club after a spell in League One with Newcastle Thunder.

But he reckons his side will be fired up and well-prepared after their friendly against Skirlaugh last weekend and their run-out against the Knights at the latter's Nestle Rowntree Park training base. The Tuesday night session saw Acorn practise their attack as the Knights worked on their defensive structures.

"We're expecting a tough game," said Paul-Rientoul of Saturday's tie. "Myton are a real close-knit team who don't seem to recruit or lose players and have three or four sets of brothers.

"I know one of their lads from Great Britain (amateurs), Lee Fewliss, who's been at Newcastle Thunder but is back with them now. They will have some big tough lads down the middle but then we've got the likes of Josh Mortimer and Tim Stubbs in the middle who can hopefully match them.

"We also trained this week against York Knights and that has helped us again in our preparation.

"James Ford (Knights head coach) wanted to work on their defence so we got to do a lot of attacking plays, and coming up against opposition like that really does help us. I'd like to thank them for asking us to go over. It's a great set-up up there."

It was the second time the two squads had got together this year, following the successful training run 12 months ago, which helped Acorn's bid to reach round three of the cup last year - when they were ironically paired against their pro neighbours.

Paul-Rientoul said the thought of another big tie was a great incentive for his players this week.

"If we can back into the hat for the draw, it would be happy days," he said.

"Another showdown with York wouldn't be bad would it. I can't see that happening again but you never know."

As for last week's friendly victory, he said: "Skirlaugh brought a young side - their first-team coaches wanted a chance to look at them - so a win was expected.

"We started off pretty poorly - we took them too lightly - but I had a word with the lads at half-time and we didn't allow them to score in the second half."

Paul-Rientoul is likely to name his line-up at training tonight but is anticipating a "couple of changes" from the side that beat the RAF in round one.

"We will be going full strength," he added, dismissing any notion they may use the tie as a warm-up for their league campaign.

The Challenge Cup trophy itself will be there on Saturday, brought to Myton's ground by holders Hull FC, with Acorn invited to take junior players over to get a closer look.