AFTER three weeks on the road Harrogate are in action at Claro Road against Doncaster in a re-run of last season's Yorkshire Cup final.
'Gate gave a good account of themselves in last week's defeat in the Powergen Cup at the hands of full-timers Worcester and will be keen to pull off a National Two victory over Donny, whom they edged out in the county cup final a few months ago.
The South Yorkshire side have recruited heavily in the summer, particularly from Wales, but have lost their opening three league games, so Harrogate will start firm favourites on their home turf.
Second row Andy Boyle faces a test on a knee and if he fails to make it his elder brother, Matthew, will take his place in the Harrogate second row.
Former Otley winger Adam Thornton is unavailable, so Paul Clayton, who came on off the bench at Worcester last week, makes the starting line-up.
Prop David Hall and No 8 Oliver Cook, who missed the Worcester game, are expected to return to what should be a near full strength Harrogate line-up.
Although Doncaster have yet to win a league game this season they pushed Bracknell hard before going down 28-22 and were also 24-5 ahead against Rugby before losing 28-24.
One man Harrogate won't have to worry about is Doncaster's star stand-off Rob Liley who has a dislocated finger and is added to the an ever-lengthening injury list at the Castle Park club.
Updated: 08:36 Friday, October 10, 2003
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