Selby could soon be without a rugby league team if a bid to attract more players to the town's only remaining club fails.

Selby Warriors have been struggling for players all season and last week were forced to concede their White Rose Trophy clash with Bentley Good Companions because they were unable to field a team.

They have since held a crisis meeting for the second time this season, where it was decided that the club would not yet give in.

Club spokesman Dave Sowden said: "After a long serious meeting the players and officials decided to struggle on and try to attract more players.

"It would be a big loss to the game if the last rugby league side in Selby had to fold."

The town's former clubs include Selby ARLFC, who began in 1980 but folded in '88, Gaffers ('82-'86), Selby Raiders ('84-'95) and, for a short spell, Riccall Rangers.

In the district, there were Eggborough Eagles, Fairburn and, still going, Brotherton and Sherburn. The Selby Cup was also contested at the end of each season and in its heyday had eight teams.

Selby Warriors started out as Whitemoor Warriors in 1987 and changed their name to Selby in '98 in a bid to attract more interest in the town and they also looked for a base in Selby, which might be done again.

The Warriors have won the York Accident Cup twice, York and District Cup twice, Selby Cup once and the Doncaster Cup once.

They have always played in the Yorkshire League, starting in division seven and working up to division two, where only two years ago they missed out on a first league title by an eight-point goal difference.

They currently lie second bottom of division three, and are seeking a new input to boost their fortunes.

Anyone willing to get involved with the club - as players, committee members or sponsors - should contact secretary Harry Paterson (on 01757 704761) or coach Paul Helstripp (07973 270539).

The team have no game this weekend but training continues in the gym at Barlby High School from 7pm to 9pm tonight. All players new and old are urged to attend.

York Acorn will hope to put last week's controversy behind them on Saturday as they bid to get their promotion bid back on track.

The National Conference League division two club face a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday following the abandonment of last weekend's crucial clash with Crosfield.

Oldham referee Robert Hicks abandoned the game just before half-time after the two teams came to blows, and if found guilty of brawling by the league committee, Acorn could receive a hefty fine.

However, the York club want to concentrate solely on taking maximum points from Saturday's encounter with lowly Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks (kick off 2pm).

Acorn spokesman Lumby said: "We don't wish to comment on the disciplinary hearing at the moment but obviously we will be representing the club and the players strongly and hopefully we will get a fair hearing."

Leaders Hunslet Warriors won the top-two battle at Milford to go clear, helping Acorn stay in joint-second place.

Lumby said: "It looks like a three-horse race between us, Milford and Crosfields for the second promotion spot, but any slip-ups could see the likes of Heworth and Normanton hanging on in there.

"It's up to us to win our games, especially home games against teams lower down the division."

Utility back Andy Lee is set to keep his place at full-back after impressing in last week's abandoned game, while Chris Martin returns after work commitments. Cousins Mick and Kenny Embleton will have late fitness tests, while Martin McTigue is a major doubt after picking up an injury last week.

The pressure is again on Heworth as a defeat at Castleford Panthers could all but end the Villagers' slim hopes of promotion.

Spokesman Ken Sykes said: "We can't be complacent but we must be confident of a result to keep us in the promotion race, albeit in a marginal way.

"Defeat would make promotion not mathematically impossible but extremely difficult. It's an important game but the most important thing is to build on last week because we got back to winning ways (against Millom) and we played well and enthusiastically.

"We have to carry that through against a team we really should beat, though having said that, we did not play particularly well against them last time and we were hanging on a bit for our narrow victory."

Gavin Grant and Nikki Wilson face fitness tests, otherwise the squad is likely to be the same as last week.

New Earswick All Blacks would have to pull off one of the shocks of the year if they are to progress in the Yorkshire League Senior Cup.

The York side, bottom of YL senior and division one with one win in nine games, entertain Pudsey, who lie second in the premier division, one point behind the leaders with a game in hand.

All Blacks spokesman Charles Rollinson said: "A cup match is a one-off and anything can happen as has been proved in the past, so I won't rule us out of it."

They will be hoping Jamie Daniel, Simon Mallarkey, Carl Barrow, Mick Wilkinson and new signing Peter Johnson, who all missed last weekend's defeat at Moorends through unavailability, will return. Kick off is 2pm.

Having played table-toppers Illingworth 'A' last week, York Groves face another tough encounter in Pennine League division four.

The Terriers will hope to build on last week's battling show when they visit Elland 'A', who have lost just once this season and have the highest points average in the league's top five divisions.

* Southlands ARL are holding their reunion for former players, members and friends at St Clements WMC tomorrow (7.30pm).

Updated: 11:51 Thursday, November 22, 2001