Heworth Rugby League Club play their second pre-season fixture on Saturday when they entertain Hull-based Reckitts (2.30pm).

The Villagers lost 36-14 to Castleford Lock Lane in their opening friendly match.

Try-scorers for Heworth were Sam Clarke, Dan Briggs and Gavin Grant, the latter being a 70-metre effort.

Full-back Dave Carling, Heworth's new capture from New Earswick All Blacks, kicked a goal.

Carling's ex-All Blacks colleague Mick Harrison had a fine debut, particularly in defence.

Although outplayed in some aspects, Heworth gave a good account of themselves and are aiming to build on that this Saturday.

Heworth Has Beens take on Acorn Past Masters on Sunday (2.30am) in an over 35s charity game to raise funds for two injured players - Rob 'Bosh' Goodall and 14-year-old Gavin Wilson. The referee will be Billy Blackburn Snr.

Goodall, a former Great Britain Under 23 amateur international sustained serious back injuries and a broken leg in a fall in Spain.

Wilson broke his neck in a mountain bike accident.

At 12.30pm Heworth Under 15s play Acorn Under 15s in a curtain-raiser.

Heworth club spokesman Ken Sykes said: "The idea is to have a fun day which we hope will be rewarded by a bumper crowd to support this worthy cause."

Acorn's Past Masters side are training tomorrow at the club (6pm). Anyone else wishing to play should go to training or phone manager Billy Blackburn on York (01904) 330351.

York Groves welcome back long term injury victims Andy Starkey and Keith Holmes for their pre-season friendly against Eastmoor at Burdyke on Saturday.

Groves have lost several players through retirement and other commitments and are looking to recruit new players like Peter Middleton, from Stamford Bridge, who makes his debut on Saturday.

Anyone who believes they can assist Groves should contact coach Alan Mitchell on York 690473.

The chances of two York students travelling to Russia to take part in a groundbreaking rugby league tournament have been boosted thanks in part to Selby firm AES Drax.

As reported in the Evening Press, 21-year-old Heworth duo Anthony Howcroft and Dan Briggs are in the England squad to take part in the European Student Championships to be held in the city Kazan, in Tatarstan, an 11-hour train ride from Moscow.

The squad's hopes of getting the £5,000 sponsorship required to finance the trip have been aided by a sponsorship raffle, which was won by Drax, whose name will now be emblazoned across the England team's shirts.

The raffle, which was drawn by Clifton-based butcher and York Wasps sponsor Tony Neary, raised £3,500 for the trip.

York-based Tony Gargan, who is manager of the England team to go to Russia, is set to hold a rugby league auction to help raise the remaining funds.

Lots already supplied include signed shirts and balls from Super League clubs Bradford, Wigan, Leeds, Warrington and London.

Details of that auction will be announced shortly.

The two-week ten-team tournament starts on September 4. Anyone interested in offering sponsorship should call Tony Gargan on York (01904) 790489.

Updated: 11:32 Thursday, August 16, 2001