There's no place like home - that's what Heworth and York Acorn will be hoping to prove when the National Conference League strugglers aim to turn their miserable seasons around on Saturday.

Winger John Rushworth, with ball, who has been having a fine season for York Groves.

Heworth entertain Castleford Lock Lane at Elmpark Way (2.30pm) looking to end a five-match losing run and a points drought which has seen them slip to third from bottom in the premier division.

Acorn, who occupy the same spot in the second division, have managed only three wins all season - all at home - and they face another difficult task when they play host to Crosfields at Thanet Road (2pm).

Heworth's plight switched from worrying to desperate after last Saturday's 32-0 hammering at Egremont Rangers, the fourth time in the last five games they have failed to get over the whitewash.

This week's opponents Lock Lane, on the other hand, were enjoying a scoring spree at home to Askam, running in 11 tries in a 63-22 win.

But just three points separate the sides in what has become a tight division and Heworth know that victory would be a big boost in their bid to avoid the drop.They're only six points behind fourth in the table Saddleworth Rangers and a good run of form could see them swiftly ease to mid-table safety.

The first problem they must address, though, is where the tries will come from. They had their chances against Egremont, but in the end they didn't have the inspiration or the pace to break down the Cumbrians' defence.

They have been badly missing scrum half Chris Hammerton who has been out for the last two months after tearing shoulder ligaments. He returned for the defeat by Oldham St Annes earlier this month but has been unable to play since and, though he is now back in training, a return to action this week may be asking too much.

Also missing will be forward Phil Marwood who broke his jaw against Egremont and his replacement in that game, Steve O'Gorman, who was forced off the field with a groin strain.

A slow start again proved the problem for Acorn in their 32-24 defeat at Dewsbury Moor last Saturday. A stirring second half fightback almost brought them an unlikely victory but they had left themselves with just too much to do when they trailed 26-6.

Playing for a full 80 minutes has been Acorn's downfall too many times this season, as has poor discipline, but they have the chance to put that right against Crosfields.

With BARLA international Darren Callaghan in sparkling form at loose forward last week, they will be confident of overturning the fifth-placed side if he can produce a similar performance.

Other key figures will be rejuvinated centre Gareth Lloyd who scored twice against Dewsbury Moor in his first outing for some time, along with prop Alan Hebblethwaite and scrum half Dean Kilbride.

Acorn should be boosted by the return of Lee Frank and Chris Battersby who were unavailable against Dewsbury but are still likely to be without injured forwards Simon Cornish and Mick Colley.

Warrington-based Crosfields, playing only their second season in the NCL, are one of the most improved sides in the division after struggling last term.

Last season Acorn triumphed in both fixtures but they were beaten 28-20 in a fiery clash at Crosfields earlier in the campaign. Three players were sent off - Kenny Embleton and Alan Hebblethwaite for Acorn and Ian Hannon for Crosfields - as the Blue and Golds let slip a 20-18 lead with three minutes left.

New Earswick All Blacks will also be in cup action next week, at home to Yorkshire League premier division side Townville of Castleford, but first they have the matter of a trip to the capital to face London Skolars.

The Skolars have been one of the surprise packages in the second division this season, and upset the All Blacks with an 18-12 win at White Rose Avenue earlier in the season.

They are now two points and two places above New Earswick in mid-table, with both sides having proved too inconsistent to mount a serious promotion challenge despite the obvious talent within the squads.

Form suggests this will be a close one to call, but the All Blacks will at least be buoyed by last week's 28-26 win over Ovenden, courtesy of a late Dave Carling penalty, while the London boys were beaten 22-16 at Hull Dockers.

In-form York Groves, enjoying one of their best seasons for years, entertain Wakefield side Ryhill Hammers at Burdyke (2pm).

Boosted by last Saturday's 30-12 win over Leeds Social which lifted them to third in the Yorkshire League division three, Groves will be confident of overturning a side currently lying in mid-table.

Player-coach Alan Mitchell expects to have strong running forward Dave Murray back after recovering from a broken nose, providing back-up to Rich Needham who is having a fine season.

And stand-off Martin McQuade could be available after returning from Australia.

The Terriers also have pace to balance the side with wingers Adie Beales and John Rushworth in a good run of form.

York Acorn 'A' will be hoping to gain revenge for their first team when they visit Dewsbury Moor in the Yorkshire Alliance second division.

The Blue and Golds have uneartherd a real talent in 16-year-old second rower David Lonsdale who has been a revelation for the 'A' team in recent weeks, as has flying winger Rich Stewart who has blazed his way to the top of their try scoring chart.

New Earswick All Blacks 'A' have a difficult task away at second in the table Westgate in the same division.

York Acorn Ladies, fresh from their 28-6 win at Crosfields, have another away game in the Women's League second division, this time at Stanningley.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.