Heworth and York Acorn are getting ready to lock horns in the big all-York derby at Elm Park Way on Saturday.

Acorn are out to settle a score after losing earlier in the season on home turf while the Villagers aim to make it a memorable double.

But both teams will be trying to keep their cool in what could be a heated derby with some of the recent matches being real needle affairs.

The Villagers overturned Acorn 22-6 in November as one of only three wins of the season so far.

Player-coach Brendan Carlyle said: "We could do with a win to try and move us up the table and of course, we could do the double, which would be great.

"We also have home advantage which I think is a big thing for us."

Prop forward Lee Clarke has made himself available for the clash after opting out of last week's trip to Waterhead because his wife is pregnant.

Acorn, meanwhile, are hoping to field an unchanged squad from the one which beat Victoria Rangers with a handful of niggling injuries expected to be clear by the weekend.

Coach David Kay said: "They got the upper hand on us at our place and one of the main aspects of that game was that we didn't perform at all and all the players who were involved on that day will be looking to restore their pride.

"I will be stressing to the team that in this type of game, it's the team that comes out with the best discipline that comes out on top.

"We are aware they are in more of a desperate situation than us to pick up the two points but obviously we are both similar teams, in a similar position with a similar aim so we will be looking for the points as well."

In division three of the CMS Yorkshire League, Heworth 'A' will be striving to close the gap to their nearest rivals at the bottom of the table when they visit Stanningley 'A'.

Pennine League Division Five leaders York Acorn 'A' will hoping to continue their reign at the top with a win over second place Thornton, who are just two points back.

New Earswick All Blacks take on CMS Yorkshire Senior Division stragglers Dewsbury Moor at home and are confident of a win.

Prop Jamie Daniel is thought to be ready to return from illness to an otherwise fully fit squad after coming through last Saturday's GMB Union Cup defeat unscathed.

Club spokesman Charles Rollinson said: "They actually beat us at their place in probably our worst display of the season so we will certainly be out for revenge this time round."

New signing Dean Kilbride will make his debut in a York Groves shirt as they attempt to complete a Pennine League division five double over opponents Wetherby 'A'.

The former Yorkshire Under-18 scrum-half was snapped up by Groves earlier this week from city rivals Acorn and he will be hoping to help his new side emulate the opening day 19-16 defeat of Wetherby.

Paul Marshall will also return to the fold at full back leaving coach Simon Moat with a fairly full squad to select from.

Improving Selby Warriors take a break from the Pennine League division five action with a blank weekend.

Updated: 08:32 Thursday, February 26, 2004