NEW Heworth coach Harold Box is going back to basics in a bid to propel the Villagers back among amateur rugby league's elite.

Heworth signalled their intentions with a 74-2 demolition of neighbours York Groves in a recent pre-season friendly.

They can expect a much tougher test when they kick-off their national Conference League first division campaign on Saturday at Wigan St Judes, coached by former Wigan boss Graeme West.

But Box believes the signs of improvement from their friendly defeat by Calder Valley to the win against Groves augurs well for the season.

"Against Calder Valley I saw some of the bad signs from last season - we weren't keeping possession. All we were doing was tackling," said Box, who took over from Craig Forsyth in the close season.

"You have to learn to get the basics right so I've trained a lot with the ball and keeping possession.

"Against Groves we did it right. They stuck to it, did what they were told and came up with a big score."

That improvement has filled Box with optimism for the forthcoming campaign.

"My intention was that I was going to get to know the lads this season and build for next season but you have to aim high.

"If we can win it then all well and good but I am looking for a top four or five place," he said.

Box has made few changes from last season's squad, except for the return of Mark Green, Jason Gatus and Simon Harrison.

He is also hopeful Forsyth will turn out for the Villagers if he does not agree a contract with York Wasps.

Green will start at stand-off on Saturday alongside scrum-half Chris Hammerton.

Rich Darling has not been training so Kevin Gott will be at full-back.

Dan Briggs and Gatus will lead the pack which could also feature young John Pinder and Sam Clarke, who Box has switched to second row from the centre.

The only doubt is Nathan Witty, who has an ankle injury.

PICTURE: ON THE BALL: New Heworth coach Harold Box, left, pictured at the start of pre-season training with some of his new players