REJUVENATED Heworth ARLC go into their new season with renewed enthusiasm and realistic chances of challenging for promotion.

That is the view of Jimmy Rothwell, who, with Steve Smith, has taken over the reins at Elmpark Way and helped to instil a new fervour into the club.

The Villagers, once a force in the National Conference League, have finished in the re-election zone of division two in the last two seasons, but Rothwell hopes the bad times are soon to end.

"We've trained really hard, with 20 to 30 lads down at pre-season training every week, and the effort and enthusiasm has been fantastic," he said.

"We've been really happy with it. We've found we've got players who want to put the effort in and play for the club and hopefully we can take it forward.

"Our hopes are to get promoted and the way pre-season has gone I think that's a possibility."

That pre-season has included a draw with division one side Milford, which followed a defeat, albeit with a decent performance with many players rotated, to another division one outfit, East Leeds.

"It has gone better than what we thought it would," said Rothwell. "We've got a good set of lads and no-one has let us down, although the real proof in the pudding will be this Saturday."

Heworth kick off their campaign at Widnes St Maries (KO 2.30pm), and Rothwell admitted it was a tough opener.

"If they don't finish in the top two, there's something wrong," he ventured. "It's a very intimidating place to go to, they're very physical and have a couple of good new players.

"It's one of the hardest games of the season to start with but if we win it sets the season up for us. In a way I'm glad we've got this game as it gives us a benchmark to how we will do. If we perform like we can I'm sure we can give them a game."

Former York City Knights prop Dan Briggs, ex-York Wasps half-back Paddy Handley (pictured left) and prop Phil Marwood have pinned their colours to the mast again to boost the squad, while the Villagers have also received new sponsorship.

Rothwell added: "They must think there is a change afoot and that's good. We're happy with the way everything has gone."

Heworth have experienced problems in recent years regularly fielding an 'A' team but Rothwell said they should go well this term, with Barry Jackson and Chris Brown set to keep the reins, starting with a home game against Featherstone Lions 'A' in Yorkshire League division three.

He said: "I think those problems are in the past. A lot of clubs are struggling for second teams - rugby isn't what it used to be - but we've got some good under-18s coming through and I'm sure the 'A' team will be okay.

"If the first team can get some winning results and get some enthusiasm running through the club, hopefully we will progress, though we need to make sure we progress in the right direction."

Updated: 10:29 Thursday, September 01, 2005