YORK Acorn ARL Club legend Mick Colley is hoping to become the first player to take the field in four different decades on Saturday. in what promises to be a high-spirited final day of the season.

Already promoted Acorn take on Crosfields after second team Acorn 'A's crack at the Pennine League division four title against Underbank in a league play-off.

And veteran Colley has pledged to make an appearance for Acorn to boost the fund-raising efforts for the injured Kev Brundrett.

The full back is still off work after a horrific leg break and dislocated ankle in the match against Stanningley in January. Since then, the club has been trying to generate cash to help him out and ex-York player Colley's appearance could add several hundred pounds to the total so far with dozens of old fans expected to turn out to see the legend back in a Blue and Gold shirt.

First team coach Dave Kay, who plans to step down after Saturday's game, said: "It's an ideal opportunity for him to play off the bench and I'm sure people will be keen to see him again as he's a bit of a character by all accounts."

Mike Embleton and Chris Hopcutt are both set to return to the first team after an engagement party last week, while hooker Mick Fitzsimmons returns after a two match ban.

Kay said that while the 'A' team would get the first say on fringe players for their massive game, there would be no filling the reserves with first-teamers.

He added: "It's like a cup final for them. They've worked all season for it and it wouldn't be fair on anybody if we put a load of first-teamers in."

Acorn 'A' v Underbank kicks off at 1pm, followed straight on by Acorn v Crosfields at 2.30pm.

Queensbury 'A' stand between New Earswick All Blacks and the Pennine League division two title.

The York outfit visit the Halifax team in their final game of the season knowing victory would guarantee them the championship and see them avoid the need for a title play-off against the winners of Kippax versus Newsome Panthers.

However, the hosts could prove a harder proposition than their fifth-bottom placing suggests. Queensbury's first team have completed their fixtures in the premier division, which means they may field a full quota of four first-teamers to face All Blacks.

But All Blacks coach Simon Baynes says it won't matter who they end up facing.

He said: "We are not too worried about that. We trained really well on Tuesday and we are prepared for whatever they throw at us.

"They are quite lowly in the league but they want to spoil our little party so we will be ready.

"It's our cup final on Saturday. At the start of the season we said we wanted to go up but as the season progressed, we realised we wanted to go up as champions and it will be disappointing if we don't win the league now.

"We've got promotion but we haven't won anything yet. We had a great cup run but didn't win anything so we want to win the title to cap off a good season.

"We are confident but not cocky and we're really ready for Saturday."

Jamie Rhodes will miss out because of work commitments, while Alan Pallister and cousin Carl are both in the reckoning for a return. Carl is expected to play despite a bad back recently, while player/coach Alan will be a late fitness check after struggling with a knee problem.

Updated: 11:18 Thursday, May 05, 2005