ACORN coach Alfie Hill is to stand down from the job at the end of the season.

Hill, 46, who joined Acorn as a player in the 1977-78 season and has been player-coach and then coach since 1984, said he thought he had gone as far as he could in the role.

He said: "I think a fresh face is needed at the helm. I've loved it, but I've come to the end of the challenge and I don't get the same buzz.

"There is lots of talent at the club, but they are not producing it for me."

Hill said he hoped to find some other role within the club.

Hill will be hoping his team can end a three-match losing run this weekend and at the same time break their Dewsbury Moor jinx in their National Conference division two clash at Thanet Road.

Acorn travelled to Dewsbury Moor last weekend and went down 36-16, which, following defeats against Siddall and Eccles, has left Acorn stranded on 19 points for some time.

Acorn have yet to beat Moor in the league, losing all three encounters so far. But victories against Moor on Saturday, and at home to Siddall the following week would still see Acorn beat their best points total in their five seasons in the National Conference League, which stands at 22.

Acorn hope to have both full back Andy Dudman and Paddy Langan back after being unavailable last week, while centre Gareth lloyd faces a late fitness check.

Also in division two, New Earswick All Blacks make a first ever visit to Warrington team Crossfields, who are new to the league this season.

All Blacks won their home game against Crossfields fairly comfortably, but club spokesman Martin Farrington said: "They were a quick, young side so we will not be taking them lightly."

All Blacks welcome back Brendan Carlyle and Julian Ramsey, but Jez Petch misses out with a cracked wrist picked up in last weekend's 11-0 defeat by Siddall. There are also doubts over Tony Wolke who has an ankle injury.

Heworth await fitness checks on Chris Hammerton, Scott Wrigglesworth and Mark Green before naming their squad for the long haul to Cumbria to meet Egremont.

Andy Gabel (shoulder) and James Allitt (ankle) picked up inuuries in the defeat at Woolston last week and are ruled out of the National Conference League premier division clash.

That defeat at Woolston, who are now hot favourites to regain their title, leaves Heworth with seven more league games, starting with Saturday's game at Egremont.

The remainder of their programme is Dudley Hill (h), March 14; West Hull (h), March 21; Walney Central (a), March 28; Wigan St Patrick's (a), April 18; Beverley (h), April 25 and Askam (h), May 9.

Title-chasing Acorn 'A' have a vital Yorkshire Alliance second division clash against Stanley 'A' at Wakefield.

Earlier in the season Acorn edged home 8-4 against Stanley thanks to a try apiece for Pete Carr and John Clark.

Prop forward Dave Pearson is back in contention after being unavailable last week.

New Earswick All Blacks 'A' travel to Milford in alliance division two. They will be without player-coach Mark Baynes who has a broken finger, and Gerry Jackson who, who played full back last week, has a neck injury.

Prop Stephen Harris faces a late test on a shoulder injury.

Clifton Moor have no game this weekend, but the club are planning a major reunion of players past and present.

The club, based at the Castle Howard Ox, was originally formed as Burton Stone Inn and then played under the Punch Bowl banner.Further details of the reunion, which will be held in May, should be announced in the next few weeks.

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