SELBY Warriors begin their new life in the Pennine League on Saturday with a home clash against Thornton.

It is the Warriors' first match of the season following their summer switch from the Yorkshire League.

They have been placed in division five of the Pennine League, alongside near neighbours York Groves, who were relegated from division four last term but began this season on a high with a derby victory over Wetherby Bulldogs last week.

Warriors spokesman Dave Sowden said his side were determined to copy Groves in getting off to a winning start.

"None of the current Warriors side have played against Thornton so they are an unknown quantity but they did beat Undercliffe away last weekend in their first game so they will not be taken lightly," he said.

"Our coaches, Wayne Knight and Kev Fellows, say they have a 20 man squad to pick from and everyone is raring to go and know how vital it is to get off to a good start."

The match at Sandhill Lane kicks off at 2.30.

York Acorn 'A' have also switched from the Yorkshire League to Pennine League division five and they start their campaign at home to Bailiff Bridge Panthers.

York Groves, meanwhile, put league commitments to one side as they compete in the Tetley's Yorkshire Cup first round at home to Castleford Panthers (kick off 2pm).

The Terriers, who now play home games at Archbishop Holgate School in York, are massive underdogs against the high-flying Arriva Trains Conference division two side and spokesman Ian Colley said: "We will need to be on top form for this game.

"We had a good start in the league last week and need to take encouragement from that performance."

Player-coach Simon Moat, who hopes to have a big squad available for selection, is to have a pre-match session and asks all players to be present for 12.45pm.

New Earswick All Blacks are also in Yorkshire Cup action, at home to fellow Yorkshire League side Redhill.

The Castleford outfit, expelled from the Arriva Trains League last term because of their awful displinary record, now play one tier below New Earswick, of the senior division, but All Blacks spokesman Simon Malarkey said: "They are always tough games against Redhill.

"We beat their 'A' team twice last season but they've only got the one side this season and it will be interesting to see what line-up they have.

"As for us, we obviously want to win but (player-coach) Simon Baines says the league is the priority."

Baines will have to shuffle his side as Dave Carling (groin), Dave Calam (knee), 'Scholesy' Sanderson (concussion) and Jamie Daniel (unavailable) are all ruled out.

However, he will have captain Jez Petch and Steve Perks back after they were unavailable last week, while Strensall-based soldier Pete Johnson has returned from a stint in Iraq and Phil Turpin, Dan Wellard and Trevor Sadler are all in contention. Former Heworth prop Phil Marwood could also make his debut.

In further good news for the club, a new sponsorship deal with Polar Ford has been lined up for this season.

Updated: 09:07 Thursday, September 11, 2003