Life is proving tough at the top for struggling York Acorn who face another of the National Conference second division's leading clubs on Saturday.

They entertain second placed West Bowling at Thanet Road, just a week after suffering a comprehensive defeat at top of the table Eastmoor Dragons.

It will be another difficult task for the Blue and Golds as they look to climb off the foot of the division and edge away from re-election danger.

West Bowling are very much the form side of the division. They opened the season with three straight defeats but have since reeled off 13 successive victories.

In-form stand-off Peter Simpson and former Bradford hooker Glen Barraclough were the thorns in Acorn's side the last time the teams met in October, which resulted in a 44-13 win for Bowling.

Good news for Acorn is that Simpson is doubtful due to an injury which kept him out of Bowling's emphatic win over Hillsborough Hawks last week.

However, his replacement Jason Woolham proved more than an adequate stand-in as he took the man of the match award.

Acorn will be without winger Gareth Lloyd and will give prop Leigh Marshall a late fitness test on his arm which he injured in the Eastmoor defeat.

Darren Crake is likely to be brought in as cover along with utility back Steven Irving. The squad has also been strengthened this week by the signing of former Heworth three-quarter Neil Stephenson.

Prop forward Paul Booth is ruled out of New Earswick All Blacks' trip to Keighley Albion on Saturday.

Booth hurt his leg in last week's morale boosting 10-9 victory over a good Castleford Panthers side which forced him off the field in the second half.

They have no other injury worries and could welcome back Great Britain international Lee McTigue, if he is not wanted by York Wasps.

Last week's win went a long way to securing the All Blacks' safety and they could now climb as high as seventh place.

The second division has developed into a two-way split between the top six sides and the rest. Albion, in sixth place, are now seven points clear of the trailing pack.

Albion got the better of New Earswick the last time they met in October, winning 30-16 at White Rose Avenue. But interestingly the York team travel well and have recorded their best results away from home.

Four of their six league wins, plus their Challenge Cup success against John Moores University, came on opponents' territory so the trip to Keighley will hold no fears.

What sort of side Heworth can turn out for their trip to Rochdale Mayfield could depend on the outcome of Keith Loft's appeal tonight.

Coach Loft had his appeal against his two-year ban heard on Tuesday and the decision will be announced tonight.

If it goes against Loft, the first teamers who have refused to play since his suspension 10 days ago may continue their strike action.

At least they have no fresh injuries worries after last week's game against Siddal was postponed because of the state of the pitch.

They also have the second string players available as the 'A' team do not have a game this weekend.

Heworth will be hoping to complete the first part of a York treble over Rochdale sides this weekend.

On the same day York City take on Rochdale in the Nationwide Third Division, while the following day York Wasps are the visitors to Spotland as they face the Hornets in the Northern Ford Premiership.

Victory for Heworth could send Mayfield to the foot of the NCL first division. They are only above bottom club Millom on points difference.

The match of the day takes place in the premier division where second placed West Hull entertain leaders and local rivals Skirlaugh.

York Groves entertain Allerton Bywater in Yorkshire League division five, fresh from their BARLA National Cup success over Roose Pioneers.

INJURIES proved costly as York Acorn Ladies were beaten 26-8 at Huddersfield.

They were in contention for much of the match but finished the game with just 10 players following several injuries, most notably to the impressive Christine Josephs.

It was a good team showing with fine individual performances from props Yvette Shepherd and Julia Fergusson, right centre Beverly Langan and winger April Welch.

Acorn's points came from tries by winger Chantel Markam and Beverly Langan.

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