YORK Acorn youngster Kyle Palmer will have been bemoaning his luck this week after rapture turned to despair.

The centre was named in the provisional BARLA Great Britain Under-21s squad following some impressive performances for the Blue and Golds this season.

But he dislocated his shoulder during a try-scoring display for Acorn's 'A' team in their excellent Pennine League Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy quarter-final win at Boothtown Terriers on Saturday.

A full diagnosis of the injury will be made when Palmer returns to hospital for assessment, so it is not yet known if his chances of playing for the GB U21s later this year will be hampered.

Coach Dave Kay said: "He may be back towards the end of the season but it's doubtful. It's a big blow for him, having just been selected for the U21s."

The injury is also another long-term blow for Kay's squad, who will also be without unavailable hooker Michael Fitzsimmons for Saturday's crucial National Conference division two trip to Millom, with Fran Starkey set to retake the number nine shirt.

Kay was thankful for the free Saturday last week which helped other players shake off minor injuries and recharge their batteries for their stuttering promotion push.

Millom, though, will be no pushovers having enjoyed a renaissance this season. Said Kay: "They're on the fringes of promotion and have a bit more confidence this year. It's going to be tough. It was tough even in recent years when they were down the bottom.

"It's a four-hour trip there - and it seems a lot longer on the way back if you don't get a result."

Acorn 'A' will renew their title charge in Pennine League division four at home to Meltham following their excellent 25-22 cup win at Boothtown.

Try-scorers in that match were John Tattersfield (2), Steve Waldren and, as reported above, Kyle Palmer, with Craig Fox kicking four goals and one drop-goal. Matty Chapman and Dean Crump had taken Acorn forward with some strong running and it took a massive team effort to secure a great win.

York Groves face a crucial game in their battle to get away from the drop zone in division five away to fellow strugglers Cowling Harlequins. Leaders Selby Warriors have no game.

Updated: 10:36 Thursday, February 24, 2005