Hunslet Hawks' newcomer Tony Howcroft is relishing the prospect of renewing some old acquaintances when he returns to his home-city club on Boxing Day, writes Dianne Hillaby.

The ex-Heworth hooker (pictured) made his Northern Ford Premiership team debut for the Hawks in their surprise 14-0 win over Sheffield Eagles last week.

Now he is desperate to retain his place for the clash with York Wasps where he will be reunited with a few colleagues from the amateur scene, including ex team-mates Craig Forsyth and Adam Briggs.

"I know a few of them from when I was at Heworth. Adam Briggs' brother is one of my best mates so I've known Adam for a lot of years. It will be interesting," said York-based Howcroft, who was playing for Heworth up until last month.

He has not trained all week because of a virus so his place in the team is in doubt. However, he is hopeful he will recover in time.

"Since I saw we were playing York on Boxing Day it's a game I've been really looking forward to. There'll be quite few of my friends and family going to watch so hopefully I can get myself better and play."

Nottingham Trent University student Howcroft was one of the outstanding players on the Great Britain Students' tour Down Under this summer.

It was the coach of the England Students, Simon Tuffs, who recommended Howcroft to Hunslet coach David Plange.

He went along to training at the South Leeds Stadium and has settled in well. "I'm really enjoying it. I get on well with everyone, there's a good spirit.

"I'm on trialist forms, but I'm there for the season. Hopefully I'll sign a contract sometime this season, but they haven't got much money so depending on what they offer me it might be better retaining my (amateur) status. Hopefully I'll have a good season this year and keep my place."

Howcroft's first appearance for Hunslet, in the pre-season friendly against Doncaster, ended in pain when he suffered a head wound that required 13 stitches.

He has since played in a couple of Alliance games before making his NFP bow last week. He replaced hooker Nicky Dobson with half an hour to go and was pleased with the way he adapted to the higher level.

"I think I did quite well. I struggled with my fitness when I first joined them but I've been there a month now and my fitness is getting better.

"When I went on tour with the students the standard was pretty high. The games were fast and very skillful but it's the physical side that's the biggest difference," he explained.

Their victory over Sheffield was Hunslet's first this season while York are still to open their account.

Hawks just edged the pre-season friendly between the sides 8-0. Howcroft anticipates another close encounter.

"We've got a good side but we're a really young side. Against Doncaster and Keighley we competed up to half-time but because we've got a young light-weight side it's taken it out of us later on.

"They are both top of the league so we knew when we played against other sides we could turn them over and we did that against Sheffield.

"I think it will be a hard game on Boxing Day, especially with all the problems at York. They'll be fired up to make up for it on the field."