VICTORY at Wigan St Patrick's on Saturday might see York Acorn ARLC head coach Alfie Hill have a change of heart when it comes to the BARLA National Cup.

Previously, Hill has treated the competition as a chore, believing it has got in the way of the club's promotion push in National Conference League division one.

However, winning at premier division side St Patrick's in this second round tie might have the club considering an assault on this knockout front.

He said: "I've said all along the National Cup is secondary, but if we were to knock St Pat's out, and given the fact there are several other premier division sides out already, it could prove interesting."

Hill will also run with his strongest available side on Saturday, unlike in the last round when he gave a few fringe players a chance to impress.

He explained this was partly because of the fact the players do not necessarily need a rest given the fact they haven't had a league game for a month due to postponements and commitments in this competition and the Challenge Cup. "The lads are hungry for success," he added.

Mike Embleton (ribs) and Jason Smith (shoulder) are big doubts after picking up injuries in last week's Challenge Cup win at Hull Wyke, and Leigh Rientoul, the new signing from Heworth, is cup-tied. However, experienced centre Gareth Lloyd was back in training this week after injury and could be one of the players to step in.

Heworth face another long trip to Cumbria but know a positive result against the National Conference division two stragglers will put more breathing space between themselves and the re-election zone.

The Villagers lie fourth from bottom after only three wins and a draw from their 12 fixtures, and were crushed 58-4 at Wath Brow in the Challenge Cup last week.

But Askam have only the one win alongside 14 defeats. Heworth also won the reverse fixture 46-6 and so must travel with confidence, more so given that key men Sam Clarke and Luke Judson should return from illness.

Villagers spokesman Ken Sykes said: "It's quite a crucial game for us really. They've only won once so far and we'd like to think we could go there and win, but we will have to play a lot better than we did last week, even if Askam aren't as good a side as Wath Brow."

York Acorn A' host Featherstone Lions in Yorkshire League division three looking to continue their promotion push, while, in division two, Heworth A' will attempt a second consecutive shock win as they follow their defeat of second-placed Sherburn Bears with a home game against leaders Normanton A'.

New Earswick All Blacks face what on a paper should be an easy return to action in the Pennine League premier division.

All Blacks, who haven't played since beating St Joseph's 14-6 three weeks ago, entertain an Elland side who are yet to win in the league, having secured just one draw in their ten fixtures.

Victory would lift the York side up to third, though they have played several more games than the teams around them.

New Earswick A' travel to Dearne Valley Bulldogs A' looking to continue a division seven promotion push in their debut season.

Struggling Selby Warriors have no game in division three.