PROVISIONAL talks are underway between New Earswick All Blacks and National League Three new-boys Essex Eels about the possibility of a friendly match.
Both clubs are sponsored by rugby league retailer www.forty-twenty.co.uk and proprietor Giovanni Cinque has suggested a forty-twenty challenge match perhaps to be played in August - pre-season for the All Blacks and once the Eels' NL3 commitments are completed.
All Blacks spokesman Mark Tipping (pictured right) said: "A trip to the capital would be a great pre-season challenge for the All Blacks and would also see how the Yorkshire League outfit compared to the National League 3 standard.
All Blacks, whose main sponsor is Polar Ford, have announced another sponsorship deal, this time with expanding West Yorkshire technology company Codefarm Ltd, who also sponsor Featherstone Rovers.
The Codefarm name and logo will be placed on the shirt sleeves of the CMS Yorkshire League team.
Codefarm Ltd managing director Phil Arundell said: "We are delighted that as our company continues to grow we are able to become more and more associated with community-based sponsorships such as this.
"We are building on our successful association with Featherstone Rovers and also extending into the amateur game. Rugby League is enjoying a surge of popularity in York and we know this can be of advantage to the amateur game too."
Tipping, All Blacks sponsorship co-ordinator, added: "It's fantastic to attract sponsors from outside the York area. As a volunteer organisation we rely heavily on investment from commercial businesses and with the recent launch of the club's new website (www.neallblacks.co.uk) we are sure in addition to their financial investment Codefarm's knowledge will prove valuable."
All Blacks are without a game this week, which is a bonus to coach Simon Baines as he has a lengthy injury list, including Tom Coomber (snapped cruciate knee ligaments), Pete Johnson (sprained knee), Dan Wellard (shoulder), Alan Pallister (ankle) and Mark Tipping (ankle).
Updated: 08:50 Thursday, February 12, 2004
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