A CLOSE friendship will be put firmly to the test when the Giants take on York City Knights in Sunday's big Powergen Challenge Cup quarter-final clash at the McAlpine (3.00).

Going head-to-head will be in-form Huddersfield half-back Paul March and his best mate, Danny Brough, who will be acting as chief playmaker for York.

It promises to be one of several key battles this weekend, with the pair already relishing their own personal duel.

Besides both men playing scrum half, they will also be charged with the task of kicking goals for their side.

And March admits they have already spoken at some length about what the contest might bring.

"I've offered to have a little wager with Danny about who will kick most goals," quipped March.

"I'm still waiting for his answer, but if he accepts my offer, I obviously hope I come out on top.

"I'm well aware that a lot of people expect that to be the case, but no-one inside the Giants camp is taking anything for granted.

"Talking to Danny, he knows the size of the task ahead of him and his team, but they're also looking forward to coming and having a real go. Not that we would expect anything less.

"Both Pia and Doncaster have proved in the previous rounds that they enjoy playing at the McAlpine and are more than willing to get into an arm wrestle.

"We know it'll be no different against York, and I think Danny's hoping that approach can knock us out of our stride."

March is well aware that Brough is capable of posing a genuine threat to the Giants.

With a good tactical brain and clever kicking game, much of York's play will revolve around the Dewsbury-born half-back.

And it seems certain it will be down to March to keep him quiet.

"It's going to seem really strange facing him on Sunday," added the 24-year-old.

"We've known each other from the days we went to Thornhill High School, even though I'm a couple of years older than him.

"But it was when we were both playing for Wakefield that we became really close.

"We travelled to training together every day and the friendship got stronger and stronger.

"And before I decided to sign for Huddersfield and Danny went to Dewsbury, we even spent a couple of games playing for our local amateur club Thornhill Trojans in the National Conference League.

"But this weekend we'll be on oppositie sides, and I'm sure we'll have the odd dig.

"We are well aware, of course, that there's a lot more at stake than the battle between us two.

"There's a Challenge Cup semi-final at stake, and that's the only thing that really matters."

Huddersfield Giants:Reilly, Cooper, O'Hare, Nero, Bailey, St Hilaire, Gene, March, Slicker, Turner, Fleary, Jones, Roarty, Costin, Donlan, Penkywicz, Crabtree, Gannon.

York City Knights: Graham, Stewart, Cain, Langley, Godfrey, Rhodes, Brough, Hayes, Jackson, Sozi, Callaghan, Seal, Friend, Smith, Elston, Walker, Briggs, Forsyth.

Referee: Ronnie Laughton (Barnsley).