YORK ACORN and Heworth are in pursuit of cup glory this Saturday when they line up in the third round of the BNFL National Cup.

Acorn entertain Hull Dockers and Heworth also have home advantage against fellow National Conference League premier division side Dudley Hill, last season's beaten finalists.

Although Heworth have already recorded an away win over their Bradford-based rivals this season they are aware that Dudley Hill pose a major threat.

The Villagers paid the price for an excellent league win at West Hull last Saturday with Guy Gray (dislocated shoulder) and Jason Gatus (twisted knee) definitely non-starters.

Scrum-half Chris Hammerton (shoulder) and Scott Wrigglesworth (neck) are also doubtful.

However, Andy Tindall is set to return at centre and hooker Danny Wright is recovering from 'flu.

Dudley Hill, who lost to Ellenborough in last year's final, have two potentially match-winning centres in Andy Wilson and Rich Bingley.

Acorn and Hull Dockers have locked horns a number of times in cup competitions in recent years.

In the fourth round of last season's Yorkshire Cup Acorn lost 16-6 at Dockers and later in the season lost 22-20 at home to the same opponents in the second round of the National Cup.

The two sides have already met twice this season in the league, Acorn winning the home game 14-12 at the start of the season but losing the return match 22-1.

The clash of the day in Saturday's match will be between Acorn captain and stand-off Darren Callaghan and Dockers live-wire scrum-half Robert Shaw.

Both these players can be brilliant at club and international level, where they form a fine half-back pairing for Great Britain Under-21s.

Shaw has blazed his way to 12 tries in his last three competitive games, including five against Clifton Moor in the second round of the National Cup.

Acorn hope to have two players back from injury, forward Mark Hebblethwaite (ribs) and Gareth Hill (groin), as well as the trio of winger Gary Isles, prop Leigh Marshall and loose forward Paddy Langan, who all missed last weekend's defeat at Siddal because of work.

A late fitness test may be needed on centre Gareth Wright, who suffered a knock to a knee last weekend.

All BNFL National Cup ties kick off at 2pm and 30 minutes later New Earswick All Blacks will be starting their Conference league second division game against Siddal at White Rose Avenue.

Victory for either side could see them pressing their claims for the second promotion place behind leaders Featherstone Lions.

The All Blacks need to win their three games in hand to draw level with current second placed side Normanton Knights, while Siddal three points better off having played one game more.

Player coach Mick McTigue has a full strength squad to choose from, including returning stand-off Graham Cas.

The game was originally a provisional fixture as Siddal attempted to overturn their five year cup ban, imposed after their stormy County Cup final with the Lions, and take their place in the National Cup.

However, the ban was reduced to one year to rule them out of the this season's competition, thus ensuring that the All Blacks get their first outing in three weeks.

West Bank are due to entertain Pudsey at Lowfield School on Saturday in Yorkshire League division two, while in division three Selby Warriors travel to Crigglestone.

In Alliance division one, Heworth 'A' visit Oulton. Acorn 'A' travel to Dewsbury Moor and New Earswick All Blacks 'A' host Redhill in division two.

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