A FIRST National Conference League victory over hosts Dewsbury Moor can re-fire a flagging second division season for York Acorn.

The Blue and Golds were defeated both home and away by Moor in last season's debut campaign and are eager to establish a winning end of season run.

The home side are in desperate need of points to avoid re-election having last week ended a 12 game losing streak, with a 32-22 victory over basement side London Students.

Last season the York side were defeated 20-6 at Moor's Heckmondwike Road base, their only points coming from Lee Frank's try and Paul Smith's goal, and 26-6 at Thanet Road.

But Acorn can gain speedy revenge with a Dewsbury double header as the West Yorkshire side are visitors to Thanet Road next week.

Acorn will be without utility back Chris Martin, the former York RL 'A' team player, after he dislocated his shoulder against Hull Dockers last week.

Centre Gareth Lloyd faces a late fitness test on a leg injury he sustained in the 25-12 Dockers defeat before coach Alfie Hill settles his line-up for Saturday's game (kick off 2.30pm).

New Earswick All Blacks travel to third-placed Siddal for the second part of their NCL second division promotion double header.

The York side were defeated 17-12 by the Yorkshire Electricity County Cup finalists at White Rose Avenue last week and will be keen to rediscover the golden touch that graced their unbeaten start to the season.

All Blacks expect to name an unchanged side, the only doubt surrounding John Leach who has a cut eye.

Heworth take their nine match unbeaten league run to National Conference League premier division leaders Woolston Rovers on Saturday.

The Villagers are still smarting from last week's BNFL National Cup exit at the hands of Dudley Hill and will relish the opportunity of a return to league action.

The players are all too aware that a dramatic improvement will be required if they are return with the points from the Warrington club's Bennett Recreation Ground.

Woolston's impressive season has largely been fired by the form of half-back pair Neil Kelly and Graham Smith.

Scrum-half Kelly was last week selected for the BARLA Great Britain Lions tour to Australia in June, where he could be asked forge a partnership with Acorn's touring stand-off Darren Callaghan.

Heworth are awaiting news on a number of key players before naming their squad.

Jason Gatus has responded well to treatment after twisting a knee at West Hull, while James Allitt ('flu) and Scott Wrigglesworth (neck) should also be available after missing last week's match.

Scrum-half Chris Hammerton is expected to have recovered from last week's concussion and Andy Mercer has also returned to training after back problems.

Yorkshire League Alliance division one side Heworth 'A' are without a game this week and have just five fixtures remaining this season, four of which are at Elmpark Way.

New Earswick All Blacks 'A' entertain Dewsbury Moor at White Rose Avenue in Alliance division two, and league leaders York Acorn 'A' are due to host Batley Boys at Thanet Road.

The Acorn second string can afford no more slip ups in their run in if they are to claim the title, but they can bolster their position at the top of the league with a repeat of their 34-18 victory at Batley earlier in the season.

West Bank are scheduled to travel to basement side Hanging Heaton in Yorkshire League division two, while division three side Selby Warriors are at Doncaster Toll Bar.

Clifton Moor can hoist themselves off the foot of division five with a victory from their trip to second from bottom outfit Allerton Bywater.

* The British Amateur Rugby League Association celebrate their silver jubilee with a special birthday dinner at the Hilton National, Huddersfield, on Friday, March 6.

The Association was formed by chairman Jack Clayton, secretary Tom Keaveney and assistant secretary Maurice Oldroyd at Huddersfield in 1973.

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