IT'S fair to say tomorrow's Challenge Cup tie has caught the imagination of lots of Minster city folk - and York Acorn boss Scott Rhodes made a good point about building on it.

The article in The Press when Acorn were drawn to play York City Knights was the most-read sports story on our website that week, which shows how popular this sport can be in these parts.

Moreover, the attendance tomorrow could quite feasibly be the biggest for a rugby league game in York since two-and-a-half thousand people watched the Knights take on Hull KR at Huntington Stadium in 2011, a figure obviously bolstered by supporters from Humberside.

And, given what we've been hearing, it won't just be rugby league fans who'll be there either - as Rhodes concurred.

"From what I've heard there are people who don't normally go to rugby going to this one," he said.

"The tie has created that extra interest. I hope they enjoy it - and also that they come again, whether that's to Acorn, the Knights or both.

"I think this tie has been great for rugby league in York and let's hope we can get something long-lasting from it."

Staying with the subject of post-match, former Knights skipper Rhodes was asked if the two sides would be mates again come the final whistle.

"Yes, that's rugby league - it happens every week," he said.

"You bash each other then at the end you have a drink together, whatever happens on the pitch."

THE Press Player of the Year award will be run again this season in its usual format.

Any businesses interested in sponsoring the competition can email peter.martini@thepress.co.uk or phone 01904 567137.

The early leaderboard will be updated in this column next week.

THE Knights Independent Supporters Society (KISS) are to host their now annual sporting dinner on Saturday, April 2, in Chalkers Restaurant at New Earswick Bowls Club.

The event again incorporates the York RL Hall of Fame.

The guest speaker will be acclaimed raconteur Roy Dickinson, a rugby league international who spent most of his playing career at Leeds.

The five-course dinner will be served at 8pm, with the bar open from 7pm.

Tickets are £25 each and are available from Gary Hall by phoning 01904 634902.

If a club or organisation books a table of ten, KISS will donate £50 to their club or a charity of their choice.