BROTHERS in arms will hold the key to lifting Nestl-Rowntree out of the bottom division after a disappointing campaign last season.

Rowntrees will again be captained by stalwart Dave Sowray who leads the team for the seventh season. Working alongside him will be brother Joff who has been named as vice-captain, a newly created position this season.

The farming brothers will miss the start of the season due to harvesting, the same reason which has forced Rowntrees to concede their Tetley Vase first round tie with Wetherby.

'Trees finished bottom of Yorkshire Five (South) last season so were not surprised to drop into Yorkshire Six when the league was restructured.

They will again face old foes Garforth, Wibsey, Knaresborough, Withernsea and Rawmarsh while they also come up against league newcomers Thirsk and newly formed team Wharfedale Rams.

They will have a similar squad to last season, with temporary skipper James Baldwin, veteran fly-half Ivor Jackson, fly-half Ollie Turner, centre Charlie Roberts, young locks Andy Moorey and Ian Hore and prop Mike Wilkinson the key figures.

Lock Ian Pace has retired, Paul Reynolds and Pete Clarke have left the area while Martin Sargent has joined Thirsk. They have brought in Army utility forward Mick Lawrence and winger Phil Sargeson.

Rowntrees are hoping to get enough players to form a second team and anyone interested in joining should ring Brian Cottom on York 766122.

Nestl Rowntree

Yorkshire Six Fixtures

September: 2 Wetherby (a, friendly), 16 Withernsea (a), 30 Thirsk (h).

October: 14 Garforth (a), 21 Wibsey (h), 28 Hessle III (h, friendly)

November: 4 Selby IV (a, friendly), 11 Wharfedale Rams (h), 25 Knaresborough (a)

December: 9: Rawmarsh (h), 16 Withernsea (h), 23 Adwick (a, friendly).

January: 6 Hessle III (a, friendly), 13 Thirsk (a), 27 Garforth (h).

February: 10 Wibsey (a), 17 Selby III (h, friendly), 24 Wharfedale Rams (a)

March: 10 Knaresborough (h), 24 Marist II (h, friendly), 31 Rawmarsh (a).

April: 7 Bridlington II (h, friendly), 21 Ossett (h, friendly)