NEW Earswick All Blacks ARLC will look to turn Dodworth's strengths into a weakness as they bid to get their promotion bid back on track.

All Blacks ended a successful 2005 on a low note with a 36-4 defeat to title rivals Halifax Irish in Pennine League division one, but go into Saturday's home clash (2pm) with renewed vigour after the three-week festive break.

And while coach Simon Baynes knows a big improvement is necessary, he has a plan in mind to down their foes.

"Dodworth are a big physical team but we know what we've got worked out for them," he said.

"When you're playing big forwards, you've got to keep them guessing around the ruck and run them about a bit, and our new hooker, Tom Hodgson, has got a lot of ability out of acting-half."

All Blacks hope to have Al Davison and Wes Rodgers back to boost the pack but are likely to be without Jamie Daniels (shoulder) and maybe Jamie Rhodes.

York Groves kick off the new year in division five with a home game against high-fliers Whitehall Warriors.

The Terriers will be anxious to claim the two points needed to stay in touch with the leaders against a side that narrowly beat them on the opening day of the season.

That result was a bitter pill to swallow as the York side felt they played the better rugby on the day only to concede a last-minute try when down to 11 men.

Groves coach Simon Moat has virtually a fully fit squad to choose from, with the only doubt being in-form loose-forward Julian McBride, who has a facial injury.

Moat said: "The boys are really pumped up for this one. With Dean Kilbride and captain Jason Dunn pulling the strings in the middle of the park, there'll be no shortage of willing runners but we have to take our chances and tackle everything that moves for the full 80 minutes."

Selby Warriors visit Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks in division four looking to renew their promotion push.

Updated: 10:33 Thursday, January 05, 2006