TEENAGE RAMPAGE: York Acorn's youngster Danny Liddell has been among the points of late

York Acorn are refusing to concede defeat in their battle against re-election and can move another step closer to survival at home to Normanton Knights on Saturday.

The Blue and Golds go into the match on the back of successive victories over Keighley Albion and Milford which have revived their flagging chances of escaping the re-election zone.

They need a minor miracle to climb out of the bottom two but on Saturday could at least move off the bottom of the second division.

Victory over Normanton would see them leapfrog London Skolars, who are without a game, and move to within three points of safety.

Third bottom Castleford Panthers, who have a blank weekend, have just one game left, ironically away at Normanton.

They are now only five points ahead of Acorn, who still have four games remaining, starting with Saturday's encounter at Thanet Road (kick-off 2.30pm).

Acorn's recent improvement in form is a result of a younger side - the average age is 22 - finally beginning to mature.

Particularly impressive of late has been teenage stand-off Danny Liddell who was man of the match against Milford last week.

If they can continue their progression Acorn can expect a more rewarding season if they retain their place in the NCL next term.

They have no new injury problems with prop Leigh Marshall and second rower Rich Warren, who both missed last week's game through injury, rated as 50-50.

Acorn 'A' travel to Wakefield to play Crofton 'A' in the Yorkshire League fourth division.

New Earswick All Blacks have no injury worries for their trip to Warrington to face Crosfields.

With four games left to play, the All Blacks still have their sights on a sixth place finish if results go their way. Crosfields' hopes of promotion were effectively ended last week when they suffered a one-point defeat at the hands of Normanton but mathematically they still have an outside chance.

New Earswick's remaining fixtures are: Saturday, April 15 Waterhead (h); Sat, April 22 Eastmoor (h); Tues May 2 West Bowling (a).

First division Heworth are without a match this weekend.

York Groves travel to Allerton Bywater in the top four play-offs in division five of the Yorkshire League.

They give fitness tests to second rower Andy Starkey (elbow) and centre Nigel Ridsdale (neck), while loose forward Martin Hodgson is expected to return after a spell out of the side after breaking his ribs. Paul Scott is unavailable.

Groves will have an extra training session at Burdyke tomorrow night (6.30).

l Acorn coaches Alfie Hill and Paul Higgins will be hoping to salvage some White Rose pride when they lead Yorkshire into action against Cumbria on Sunday.

Cumbria need to win by at least seven points to pip Lancashire to the BARLA County title.

Yorkshire will be keen to avoid the wooden spoon and victory in Whitehaven would see them finish as runners-up.

There are also places up for grabs in the BARLA Great Britain and Ireland Lions squad to compete in this year's Emerging Nations World Championship.

As well as looking for players, officials are seeking a team manager and head coach to lead Great Britain's bid for glory.

Applicants must apply in writing and provide a CV to BARLA general manager Ian Cooper no later than Friday, April 14.

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