SATURDAY
ELLENBOROUGH RANGERS v HULL KR
TOUGH Cumbrian League side Ellenborough are aiming for a shock Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup performance to match that, which toppled Bramley and Hunslet Hawks in successive rounds four years ago.

And those results have steeled Hull KR coach Gary Wilkinson into taking no chances when the Robins meet the Rangers at Derwent Park.

"I've got a few injury problems to sort out before hand, but I would hope that we are not one of the fall guys at the weekend,'' said Wilkinson.

Scrum half Craig Murdock, utility back Lynton Scott and prop Ray Charters are among those seeking treatment, but fullback Bob Everitt looks like being sidelined with bruised ribs.

"We intend to travel up the night before the game, because we feel we must be properly prepared for the clash,'' said Wilkinson, who could well rest prop Richie Hayes and bring back Rob Wilson.

Ellenborough, whose 1988 scalps were orchestrated by Gary Murdock before he took over at Workington Town, warmed up for the confrontation with a well-schemed win over Cumbria League Division One rivals Kells last week.

Elbra are currently rebuilding and may not quite have the firepower to repeat their earlier exploits.

Watch out, though, for memorable performances from such as loose forward Eddie Robinson and Ian Brannon.

SHEFFIELD EAGLES v LEIGH EAST
EAGLES boss Mark Aston is troubled by the injury to lively hooker Gareth Dobson, while Neil Kite and Andy Brent are both struggling with damaged ribs.

Dobson twisted a knee in the defeat at Whitehaven and could well miss the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup clash with Lancashire amateurs Leigh East.

"It's touch and go at the moment for all three players,'' said Aston, who also has ex-Keighley centre Matty Foster doubtful with a hamstring injury.

But Gareth Hewitt, Craig Brown, Scott Rhodes, Lee Bettinson and Ryan Knight are all on the verge of a place in the squad, Rhodes having played his way back from injury against Whitehaven last week.

"We need to get back on track after the Whitehaven defeat, so I would expect the players to have a positive and professional attitude for this game. It's important that we don't slip up,'' said Aston.

Leigh East, who boast several BARLA Youth internationals, could become the top amateur side of the next decade and the youngsters will relish the chance to make their mark at Sheffield Eagles.

Centre John Woods, son of the famous father of the same name, has inherited his dad's capacity for goals and shows a similar appetite for tries. Veteran John Gunning has forged an effective half back partnership with Martin Meadows while Gary Fletcher remains influential at loose forward. Sheffield, if not at their best, could be tested.

SUNDAY
GATESHEAD THUNDER v FEATHERSTONE ROVERS
LIGHTNING, they say, never strikes in the same place twice, which doesn't give Thunder much encouragement for this Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup tie.

They took a well-earned point off Featherstone when the two sides met in an NFP League game and must fancy their chances again in this winner takes all crunch game.

Team boss Andy Kelly, however, is hoping for a repeat performance although he is not over confident.

"We did it once, we can do it again. But I just hope that the three games in seven days we have just gone through hasn't taken too much out of my players,'' said Kelly, who has high hopes of naming an unchanged side.

Featherstone, for their part, go into the game on the back of a very good win at Keighley.

"I would have preferred to have met one of the amateur teams in the competition, because there would have been more chance of picking up some extra cash in the next round,'' said Featherstone boss Ian Fairhurst.

With prop Craig Booth (knee) doubtful, Gavin Morgan stands by, while ex-Leeds Academy skipper Martin Shaw will continue at stand off following his excellent performance for Rovers last week.

BARROW RAIDERS v OULTON RAIDERS
BARROW can expect a rough ride from the National Conference League Premier Division outfit, but coach Cameron Bell feels his Raiders will reap the rewards at Craven Park.

"We are preparing for a tough battle. I have warned the players that complacency is not the right approach,'' said Bell, who intends to make some sweeping changes for the clash.

"We let ourselves down badly against Doncaster last week and it was the wrong thing to happen ahead of a cup-tie. Some people may think we have done well so far, but maybe the players have learned a few lessons,'' remarked Bell.

With up-front hard man Tau Liku and flying winger Paul Salmon the main causes for concern, Bell may be forced to make more changes that he would like.

"Liku dislocated an elbow and it's still badly swollen, while Salmon has a groin strain, so I'm not sure how they will be by the weekend,'' said Bell.

Oulton Raiders chairman Jack Hirst, the former Hunslet and Castleford prop, made his debut for Hunslet back in 1955 at Barrow and will hope for a happier experience when the Raiders visit Craven Park on Sunday.

Hirst married just a couple of weeks after that debut, hobbled down the aisle in plaster after breaking his ankle in the first half.

Oulton's hopes rest with the likes of prop Danny Burton, Aussie centre Richard Apps - who bags plenty of tries and is handy with the timely drop goal - and block busting second row Lee Denton. Hull FC Secretary Sasch Brook is an imaginative loose forward.

BATLEY BULLDOGS v HEWORTH
THIS is a repeat of last season's cup clash when Batley completely over-ran their National Conference League Division Two opponents. But will it be a repeat of the 70-0 score line?

Bulldogs coach Paul Storey would be a delighted man if it is, but he feels there will be a better response from the amateur visitors this time.

"I can't see them allowing us to dominate the game the way we did last time, so I am warning the players not to take things easy,'' said Storey.

Stand off Dean Lawford is likely to miss the match with a shoulder injury, but Craig Wright, Roger Simpson and David Rourke are fit and available again.

Heworth had a miserable spell last season and were relegated from the National Conference First Division for the first time. The York outfit found some relief by reaching the third round of the Challenge Cup but did themselves little justice in the 70-0 defeat at Batley.

Ironically Heworth, now on the fringes of the Division Two promotion zone, return to Mount Pleasant where Batley can again be expected to win comfortably. The amateurs, though, are not without quality.

Second row Jason Kane, prop Jason Gatus and loose forward Steve Barnard will work hard up front, while player/coach Brendon Carlyle, the former York and Doncaster star, will seek to involve centre Nathan Witty, winger Dave Carling and full back Richard Darling.

CASTLEFORD LOCK LANE v DONCASTER DRAGONS
WITH a glut of ex-Doncaster players in their line-up, Lock Lane could well offer a major threat for the Dragons, who will be without ex-Keighley and Halifax Blue Sox winger Jason Lee (dislocated finger) and Irish international back Richard Smith.

Castleford-based coach St John Ellis beat the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup deadline by signing Chris Ross from Hunslet Hawks to give the Dragons more firepower, but he will be well aware of the damage that such as former Doncaster players Martin Ketteridge, Vinnie Birdsall, Lee Senior and Dave Woolford could cause him.

Former York coach Lee Crooks, who made a name for himself with Hull, Castleford and Great Britain as a formidable front rower, could also make an appearance at The Jungle for the amateurs.

Castleford Lock Lane, making an unmatched record ninth appearance in the third round, gave Villeneuve a stiff test at The Jungle two years ago and return to the Castleford Tigers! home stadium for this tilt against Doncaster.

CHORLEY LYNX v REDHILL

THE Lynx will be on their guard against cup failure again, having lost in the corresponding round last season.

"You can prepare as much as you want, but it's all about what happens on the day. If our players are up for it I would expect us to go through,'' said club official Dennis Ramsdale, who was reminded of Chorley's loss to Warrington amateur Woolston.

Coach Graeme West, who has released Leroy Rivett, Tom Killgannon and Ian Braddish back to Super League club Warrington ahead of the Cup deadline, may bring in Australian prop Bryce Killoch for his second game of the season.

Paul Wilcock and Alan Reddecliffe could also be in the frame for Chorley.

Reviving Castleford-based club Redhill, now in third spot in National Conference Division One after an indifferent start to the season, travel to Victory Park with goal-kicking full back Steve Embling who can hit the target from any angle and distance.

Despite Redhill's qualities as a free-flowing side, though, it's hard to see Chorley, a stronger proposition this season, again proving to be the NFP fall guys.

HALTON SIMMS CROSS v LEIGH CENTURIONS

THE Centurions are well focussed for another good cup run, starting on Sunday at Widnes, according to coach Paul Terzis.

"We are looking forward to a longer cup run this time,'' said Terzis, who guided Leigh beyond the fourth round with a stunning win over Tetley's Super League side Salford City Reds last season.

Although Leigh are on away soil against the Halton Simms Cross amateur side, they expect to take a big following for the game at the newly-christened Halton Auto Quest Stadium and Terzis intends to take a surprise or two with him.

"The Widnes fans gave me some stick when we lost to the in the build up to the Grand Final last year. A few of them brought boxes of paper tissues to wipe away our tears, so I will be returning the empty cartons,'' laughed Terzis.

With top points scorer Neil Turley back from injury and Phil Kenrick, Lee Sanderson and Keiron Purtill ready to play, Leigh should have no difficulty in wiping the smile off any Widnes fans who may turn up to seek more glory for their amateur club.

Halton Simms Cross, who performed creditably in defeat against Villeneuve last season, return to the Halton Auto Quest Stadium for what should be a money-making tie with Leigh Centurions.

Simmies may have little hope of progressing to the third round but BARLA Great Britain Under 23 coach Chris Middlehurst, renowned for his commitment to defence, will impress on his charges the importance of containing the Centurions and snaffling up what could be crucial points through the likes of Brian Capewell, who scored all his side!s points last week against Orrell St James with three tries, two goals and a drop goal.

KEIGHLEY COUGARS v ST GAUDENS
THE Cougars have arguably one of the toughest draws in this Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup round against French side St Gaudens.

It's a tie that new coach Gary Moorby could well have preferred to sidestep as he tries to get Keighley back on the rails.

"I understand they have one or two Australians and a couple of French international players in their set-up, which won't make it easy for us,'' said Moorby, who would love to deliver a cup win to his Cougar fans.

"St Gaudens are an unknown quantity, but I feel that we have made good progress in the last couple of weeks and with Jason Ramshaw back in full swing it should help our cause no end,'' said Moorby.

Danny Halliwell's capture also proved a worthwhile signing in that he scored a couple of tries against Featherstone and had another disallowed.

"I will settle for a win in any shape or form on Sunday,'' said Moorby.

French Test team and St Gaudens coach Gilles Dumas will be expecting a far better performance from his St Gaudens team against struggling Cougars than he received last weekend when the Saints fell 30-18 victims at Villefranche.

St Gaudens were hit by the late withdrawal of their skipper French international Arnaud Dulac who was suffering with a high temperature. His return to the Saints line-up together with other key players, who missed the league game through injury, could be worrying for Moorby and his Cougars.

HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS v WATH BROW HORNETS
GIANTS boss Tony Smith promises that his players will not hold back against their Cumbrian League top amateur opponents at the McAlpine Stadium on Sunday.

Which suggests that the former Super League side could well produce the highest margin win of the round.

"I will take them very seriously and intend to play my top side available. This is cup-tie stuff and we want to go as far as we possible can in the competition,'' said Smith, who waits for a fitness check on hooker Darren Turner before naming his side.

Should Turner break down, Paul March will retain the hooking role, following his key performance at Batley last week.

"The players put forward their best result of the season so far at Batley, which was very encouraging for me to see,'' he said.

Cumbrians Wath Brow Hornets, arguably the best team in amateur Rugby League alongside West Hull, would have been fancied at home against most NFP sides. Unfortunately for the Brow they have been handed the toughest draw of all, at the Giants.

The Cumberland League champions will be boosted by the memory of their strong Challenge Cup showing at London Broncos a couple of years ago.

Much depends on how the Wath Brow pack, including BARLA player of the year Mark Troughton at hooker, competes with the full-time professional Giants forwards. Hornets are up against it but the Huddersfield crowd are in for a treat if such as full back Gavin Curwen, stand of Craig Johnstone and winger Gary Clarke, are given a chance to show their paces.

OLDHAM v WEST HULL
Oldham!s caretaker coach Mark Knight will run a check on utility forward Paul Norton, centre Anthony Gibbons, prop Simon Knox and loose forward Tommy Hodgkinson ahead of their home Kellogg!s Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup clash with West Hull at Ashton United.

"I can't rule any of them out of contention, but I won't rush them back sooner than they should,'' said Knight, who could well have relinquished the caretaker tag before the game.

With Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton close to naming the club's replacement coach, Knight is not out of the running, but he may well play the role of assistant again to the new man

"I have had a long chat with the chairman and I understand he may well be making an announcement very soon,'' said Knight, who watched Sunday's opponents last week and states that he will: "treat them with respect.''

National Conference champions and current leaders West Hull boast a number of players who several NFP clubs would love to be able to entice away and will travel with confidence to Oldham.

Wests have a history of success in the Challenge Cup, having beaten Highfield (35-20) and York (10-6) in 1996. A strong pack marshalled by props Gavin Last and Mark Johnson in conjunction with hooker Peter Stephenson, as well as a back row of Scott Fletcher, Steve Fletcher and Chris Verity, as good as any in amateur rugby, should match the Oldham six.

Brothers Wayne and Mark Harris form an intelligent and incisive half back pairing, Lee Moreton is running in the tries from full back, and Oldham will be unable to rest on their laurels against a pacey three quarter line comprising Stuart Leake, Terry Lynn, Carl Moore and Glyn Jones.

ROCHDALE HORNETS v FARNWORTH
HORNETS could well make four changes to their line-up for the arrival of Widnes-based North West Counties Premier Division side Farnworth.

Out of favour halfback Danny Wood, ex-Dewsbury centre Brendan O'Meara, winger Sean Cooper and prop Wes Rogers will be considered as possible changes for the game, according to coach Martin Hall.

"I understand that Farnworth won the Lancashire Cup, so they must be a side to watch carefully,'' said Hall, who could rest Richard Agar, James Bunyan and powerful prop Paul Davidson if he decides on the changes.

Farnworth, battling for the North West Counties championship, could have asked for an easier task than being drawn at Rochdale.

Scrum half Chris Kelly, the former BARLA international, will expect much of his pack and if his forwards can contain the Hornets six, Farnworth centre Mike Riley and wingers Dave Raley and Neil Hicks are capable of running in decisive tries.

SWINTON LIONS v SKIRLAUGH
LIONS team boss Tony Humphries should have little difficulty in motivating his side ahead of Sunday's game at Bury.

Skirlaugh coach Russ Walker has gone on record stating that he is delighted that his Conference League side have got Swinton in the draw.

Lions chief executive Tony Barrow said: "All that our coach needs to do is to play the tape recording of what their coach thinks about their chances and that should be enough to wind our players up.''

Full back Adam Hughes and second rower Dale Holdstock are Swinton's main doubts, but big prop Jon Neill is expected to make his first appearance following a knee reconstruction operation last year.

BARLA National Cup kings Skirlaugh have not quite taken the Conference Premier Division by storm in the last couple of seasons. But with props Steve Morrod and Dean Ralph back in the fold after long-term injury and Aussie Kurt Roelandts impressing at centre or full back the Hull side are showing signs of regaining their old invincible status.

Having won the National Cup in 1996, 1999 and 2000, many of the Skirlaugh players are no strangers to pressure-cooker football and recent good form suggests that Swinton could be more seriously tested than may have been anticipated when the draw was made.

Scrum half Colin Brown, man of the match in Skirlaugh's last two finals, can be counted on to make the most of any platform established by the likes of Morrod, Ralph and another veteran figure in back-from-retirement Richard Gotts.

Skirlaugh!s quality back division of stand off Lee Newton and three quarters Simon Kilby and Phil Thacker will ensure that Swinton, still without a win in the Northern Ford Premiership, will have to be at their best to progress.

WHITEHAVEN v DEWSBURY CELTIC
FORMER Workington player Leigh Smith and 17-year-old ex-Town Academy forward Dean Burgess will make their club debuts for Whitehaven in this Kellogg!s Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup third round tie, according to coach Paul Cullen.

Fullback Wesley Wilson, ex-Widnes forward Chris McKinney and prop Gary Smith will also have fitness checks, while Mark Cox has been passed fit to make his comeback from injury.

But there is no joy for dashing hooker Aaron Lester, who will miss the game with a knee injury.

Surprise packets Dewsbury Celtic have a strong pedigree in the Challenge Cup but former RFL Development director Tom O'Donovan, now chairman of the club, knows that the green and whites have a tough task at Whitehaven.

Celtic were, however, given a boost with the win last week at Yorkshire Cup runners up Sharlston in the Yorkshire League Premier Division fixture. Experienced John Roadknight, a regular try-scorer, could be Celtic's danger man.

WIGAN ST PATRICKS v DEWSBURY RAMS
PLAYER-COACH Andy Fisher stands down for the Rams while loose forward Richard Slater remains a big doubt as Dewsbury travel across the Pennines to face Wigan St Patricks at Orrell RU club's Edge Hall Lane ground

Fisher plans to give hard running Simon Wyman a place in the front row with Danny Brough and Chris Redfearn also set to play.

"We have a hard couple of games ahead of us in the NFP, so I don't want to take too many risks,'' said Fisher, who will, nevertheless, select a strong side against the National Conference League Premier Division side.

Second row Andy Rasburn, back at Wigan St Patricks after a flirtation with Rugby Union, could be a central figure in the clash.

Rasburn, far more effective than his physique would suggest, has helped propel Pats into the Premier Division play-off frame. Stand off Sean Boylan would grace any NFP side, while Police international Jamie Winrow, an accomplished stand off or centre, is a reliable goal-kicker.

WOOLSTON RANGERS v HUNSLET HAWKS
HAWKS boss Roy Sampson plans to use this Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup-tie as another stepping-stone to success, while at the same time take no chances against the Warrington-based outfit.

Sampson is well aware that Woolston got the better of Chorley in the cup last season, but he wonders whether they can come up with a repeat performance.

Andy Wray, who pulled out of last weekend's clash with Gateshead minutes before the start with a hamstring injury is extremely doubtful, while ex-Keighley player Carlos Sanchez has a damaged foot and Dave Jessey a wrist injury.

Woolston, on the other hand, are seeking to book a place in the fourth round for the second successive season. Coach John Fieldhouse, strongly linked with the vacant Oldham spot, thoroughly enjoyed the victory at Chorley in last year's third round and his side deservedly earned the plaudits of the Warrington fans in the fourth round defeat at the hands of the Wolves.

Rovers, though, go into the match on the back of a dip in form. Each of the last two National Conference Premier Division fixtures have been lost; by the odd point in 29 last week at relegation haunted Saddleworth and more emphatically in the previous game at Leigh Miners Rangers.

Indifferent form this season has seen Woolston flirting with the relegation zone - although the Padgate based club, seven points clear of Saddleworth and with a game in hand - are in no real danger of the drop.

Ominously, though, Woolston are not quite the force of five years ago when, as National Conference League champions, they were beaten 54-6 by the Hawks at the South Leeds Stadium. And the young Hawks side, better than their league status would suggest, finally got the monkey off their backs with the first win of the campaign last week against Gateshead.

Survivors of that clash in the home ranks include full Mark Wallington and stand off Graham Smith.

WORKINGTON TOWN v TOULOUSE SPACERS

FREE-SCORING winger Graeme Lewthwaite and back row forward Gary Charlton are Workington Town's main concerns for the French match. Young Academy player prop Paul Bell and Jamie Nixon are on standby.

The Derwent Park club are also keeping one eye on the weather for they may have to make an early decision about the game.

Chief executive John Donovan said: "We have given Ellenborough Rangers permission to play their cup-tie against Hull KR on Saturday, but that may have to take a back seat if the forecast turns sour.

"We believe it's more important that our game against Toulouse goes ahead, because of their travel problems,'' revealed Donovan.

Toulouse warmed up for the trip north by winning 28-12 at Elite Division One third-placed Lezignan last weekend.

For that clash they lacked injured stars Simon Durrell, Jerome Vincent and key play-maker Brett Trudgett but Town should keep a weather-eye open for former Widnes star and French Test star stand off Fabien Devecchi and centre Yannick Cazemajou who picked up two tries in their eighth win in a row against Lezignan.

The Spacers coach Charles Zalduendo is well versed in top-class football having been a French international player and a part of the French international team management.

MILFORD MARLINS v YORK WASPS

THIS could be a critical turning point for the Wasps, who have an uneasy task against the Leeds-based amateurs at Headingley.

York were trounced in their NFP clash with Rochdale last week, creating a new club losing record of 25 consecutive defeats.

And to top it all they lost second row forward Leigh Deakin with a broken jaw.

Australian coach Leo Epifania is hoping for a turn in fortunes and puts his faith in the return of Carl Hall, Mick Ramsden and Ian Kirke.

A big crowd is expected at Headingley where Gary Hetherington and his staff will pull the stops out as Milford Marlins, battling for promotion from the National Conference Division Two, host York - who like, Swinton, have yet to win this season.

The Wasps struggled to overcome Oulton Raiders last year and may have a similar test at Headingley where the likes of veteran prop Eugene Currie, formerly with Hunslet, will battle from start to finish.

The Marlins, coached by Peter Jarvis and former England World Cup star Paul Cook, suffered a bad home defeat at the hands of main rivals Crosfields last Saturday and may now - having opted not to take part in the GMB Union BARLA National Cup - see the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup as their main route to glory.