KEITH LATHAM is simply hoping to break a dismal duck!

Barely a season goes by without Leigh being paired with Sheffield Eagles in one KO comp or another.

On Sunday they clash for the fourth time in eight years; this time in the fourth round of the Silk Cut Challenge Cup - and Leigh have lost the lot!

They tasted defeat in the Challenge Cup and once in the Regal Trophy.

But this is the first time the clubs have met in a tie at Hilton Park, the others being first at Owlerton and later at Don Valley.

Current standings in the Rugby League pecking order would suggest a comfortable Eagles victory: Super League against Division Two is a massive gulf.

But, while coach Latham admits a difference in class between the sides, he refuses to totally write off Leigh's chances.

"You have a chance in every game you play," he said. "We'll respect them, but we certainly won't be frightened of them.

"Oldham showed the sort of pace and power that Super League teams possess these days. But my lads won't be giving in and I'm expecting to take Sheffield all the way."

Eagles coach Phil Larder was at Leigh on Friday for the workout with Oldham. But he won't have learned a thing!

"I didn't set out to pull the wool over Phil's eyes," added Latham. "If anything, I was conned.

"I spoke to Oldham assistant Alan McCurrie earlier in the week and he told me they planned to play fringe players and youngsters against us.

"I did the same, When I saw their teamsheet I was amazed to find a near full-strength side. That hurt me a bit. But Phil will be none the wiser."

Leigh are confidently predicting a gate of around 3,000 for the tie - a figure that would delight chairman Mick Higgins. "The way the fans responded to the St Pat's tie in the last round was brilliant," he said.

"To have more than 2000 on for that game provided a cracking atmosphere and I'm sure our performance will bring in another 1,000 or so.

"We know we've a tough job on our hands, but, with the backing of a large crowd, who knows what could be achieved?"

The attendance of 2,033 for the St Pat's tie was Leigh's second highest home gate for 22 months. The previous highest was 4,100 for the Challenge Cup tie against Bradford last season.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.