Heworth ARLC will be back to a full complement tomorrow night following the farce that befell the team last week.

As reported by the Evening Press, only the bare 13 players turned up for the trip to Crosfields, which resulted in a sixth consecutive National Conference League division two defeat and, at 76-14, the heaviest of the lot.

But the ailing club expect no such repeat, starting with the visit to Elmpark Way of Normanton Knights in a game which has been brought forward to tomorrow (ko 7.45pm) due to Saturday's Super League Grand Final.

"It was a mixture of circumstances," added Sykes. "There was a misunderstanding in some regards and some letdowns by players. Hopefully it will be a one-off which won't be repeated because we can't continue in that vein."

The club's 'A' team had no game that day but there was little time to delve into their ranks given it was a long away trip.

"We should have had 17 players but some lads who we thought would turn up did not for various reasons and it was all a bit too late for Saturday," added Sykes.

"We've been talking to players this week and we fully expect to be okay tomorrow.

"We're looking out all the time for new players and we're trying to encourage players to the club, but it's always a bit easier when you've got a reasonably successful side.

"It's going to be tough for us to pull things round but we've got to keep going. We've got no choice."

The team, rooted to the foot of the table without a point, should be boosted by the return of Sam Clarke, who was unavailable last week, while Wayne Foster might be back after injury.

Sykes added: "We desperately need some points but we need to improve our performances, especially our leaky defence."

York Acorn are aiming for an immediate return to winning ways on Saturday when they visit Stanningley (ko 2.30pm).

The Blue and Golds' good run ended with a 26-20 home loss in a ding-dong game against Eastmoor last week, but they are confident of climbing back up the NCL division two table.

Boss Dave Kay said: "The guys were very down and disappointed with last week's result. It could have gone either way and it was a game we believe we could have won.

"We think we know where we went wrong and our intention is to bounce straight back.

"We're not in a bad position, although we've slipped down the table. We have a game in hand on teams and as long as we bounce back well and put a result together we will hopefully be there or thereabouts."

Danny Liddell is unavailable on Saturday but Andy Lee, who has been excellent at stand-off this season, will boost the team by returning after work commitments, while Fran Starkey and Lee Franks, who also missed last week, will face late fitness tests.

The Pennine League has a week off due to the Super League Grand Final, so New Earswick All Blacks, York Groves, Selby Warriors and York Acorn 'A' have no games. The Yorkshire League programme is also decimated, with Heworth 'A' without a game.

Updated: 10:32 Thursday, October 14, 2004