CUP heroes New Earswick All Blacks return to Pennine League action on Saturday without Jim Mulroney following a leg fracture last week.

The second-row cracked a shin bone during the memorable National Cup win over National Conference outfit Askam - though as he limped off it was not thought to be such a serious injury. However, X-rays have since found the fracture, ruling him out for some time.

Carl Pallister - a more obvious injury victim last week as play was held up for 20 minutes as an ambulance was called after he was knocked out - is a doubt due to that concussion, while captain Jez Petch is again unavailable, but Nigel Wilson, Shaun Bewlay, Mark Boitoit and Jamie Rhodes should be back.

The All Blacks will look to maintain their promotion push in division two with a home game against Crigglestone (2pm).

The visitors lie in mid-table but have lost only one more game that the York outfit and so will provide a decent test. However, after that wonderful win last week - their second National Conference club conquest in the cup - All Blacks spokesman Simon Malarkey is confident they can maintain their winning form.

He said: "They're near the top so it will be a tough game and we have a few changes to the side. But our defence has been excellent and if we keep that going we've got enough quality to score tries."

York Groves, now looking over their shoulder after defeat to strugglers Clayton last week, have a tough division five derby at home to Wetherby Bulldogs. Leaders Selby Warriors have no scheduled game.

Bri Wright scored four tries as New Earswick U15s played their best rugby of the season to beat promotion rivals Castleford Panthers 46-22.

Joe Davis opened the scoring followed by the unstoppable Wright powering over for the first of his quadruple.

Cas made a short comeback before man of the match Pat Smith took control, firstly sending in Jack Sinclair then scoring two fine tries himself.

Two superb tackles by Ted Young kept Cas out before John Tael finished a great team display by scoring in the corner with Sinclair kicking his fifth goal.

Updated: 10:58 Thursday, January 20, 2005