BACK-TO-BACK titles is the goal for a bouyant Selby Warriors side.
Victory over Sharlston ‘A’ last weekend guaranteed Paul Helstrip’s men promotion to Pennine League division three and set up a winner-takes-all clash this Saturday at leaders Thornhill ‘A’ – as the Warriors bid to tick off trophy number two of a potential treble haul.
Promoted as division four champions last season, the Warriors have lifted the league’s Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy this month and have also reached the York & District Cup final. Victory on Saturday would also see them take the title on points-difference.
Loose-forward Ryan Eades is ruled out with the hand injury picked up last week – he needs surgery so will miss the remaining games.
The club are arranging a bus for the trip to Thornhill and reservations can be made with club officials or via the club’s Facebook page.
New Earswick All Blacks aim to finish their campaign on a high by beating championship table-toppers Wibsey Warriors.
This season, given the number of teams joining the Pennine League, division one was split into two sections. All Blacks topped the east section at the mid-way point to take their place in the new championship division, but they have not picked up enough points since to finish in the top two of this new-look tier and win promotion back to the premier division.
They will be at near full-strength for their final game on Saturday, although they will not be able to delve into the reserve ranks if need be as many in the second string are having an end-of-season day out.
Spokesman Phil Pallister said: “We want to round the season off in a good way by taking two points off the champions.”
York Lokomotive have opened their RL Conference Yorkshire East campaign with two wins out of two – and boss Paul McDermott believes improvements are still afoot.
The Lokos entertain Knottingley Stozle Rockware at their York RI base on Saturday having followed up a thumping win over Barnsley Broncos with a battling 36-24 defeat of Walton Warriors.
McDermott reckoned last week’s game – an error-strewn affair in windy conditions – helped to remove any complacency after the 11-try romp on the opening day, but he was delighted with the attitude in the camp which can only make the team better.
He said: “Walton’s defence was tigerish and they were inventive with the ball. Our team spirit played a large part in this victory. It would have been easy to criticise each other for mistakes but we had spoken during the week of showing respect for each other. “Our greater size and superior fitness made the difference in the end.
“The players are still learning how to play with each other, and that will take a couple more games. There are still lots of improvements to make but the players are willing to learn and enthusiastic.”
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