As Kells prepare to take on the transatlantic might of the Toronto Wolfpack on Friday night in the Challenge Cup - coach Peter Smith is calling on his players to emulate the club's proud history in the competition.

The Whitehaven amateur outfit have had many stand out ties over the years but one game, 30 years ago, remains the highlight for players and fans.

Back in January 1988 over 5,000 spectators packed out Whitehaven's Recreation Ground to see Kells take on the might of Leeds.

The Yorkshire side was packed with international stars, including Great Britain captain Garry Schofield, Peter Jackson and Aussie Test prop Peter Tunks.

But the battling Kells side were undeterred and put on a superb performance to restrict their elite opponents to a 28-0 win.

Kells had many players that night who were to go on to make a career in the game, including Gary Chambers and Chris Rudd, who signed for Warrington.

Current Kells coach Peter Smith just missed out on playing in the 1988 tie with injury.

But he has vivid memories of the occasion and would love his current crop of talented players to put on a similar show.

"I got the cast off my arm the morning of the game and I sat on the bench at the Whitehaven ground," said Smith.

"It was just such a great occasion, they had to put the kick off back because of the sheer amount of people coming through the gates.

"The Recreation Ground was just choc-a-bloc."

Smith is under no illusions that Friday night's crowd will emulate that night but he would love to see fans get behind the team.

He recalls some of rugby league's biggest names running out onto the pitch including Mark Brooke-Cowden who joined the Leeds side after having played union for the All Blacks.

"That was the pull of that team at that time," said Smith. "They were packed with recognised international rugby players.

"I don't think it would happen now as rugby union is bigger."

Smith admits it was a superb effort for the Kells side to hold Leeds to just 28 points - although the Recre pitch played its part.

"It was a massive effort for us all those years ago and we need something similar this week," said Smith.

"The pitch was a bit heavy back then and we had a big pack as well who had to take a lot of the credit.

"In the end the class of the Leeds side shone through that day but we held them for long periods and that's what we need to do on Friday."

The clash, just over 30 years ago, took place in a different era of rugby league.

Coming back up to date the game has changed a lot, with professional players getting all the help they need to be on top of their game.

Nutritionists, conditioners, full time training schedules all play in the favour of the big team from Toronto.

But one thing is for sure, come Friday night, the whole of West Cumbria will be behind Kells.

And their talented young guns will be out to make their mark and ensure the Wolfpack don't get the chance to bare their teeth.