New Earswick All Blacks are gearing up for their biggest game of the season on Saturday.

The All Blacks travel to in-form Batley Boys to play their Gordon Teale White Rose Trophy semi-final.

The York side, surprisingly beaten by Doncaster Toll Bar last week, lie third in Yorkshire League division one, but Batley Boys are the current leaders, having suffered just one defeat in 14 games.

The West Yorkshire side, who also have home advantage, will therefore be favourites, but All Blacks spokesman Simon Malarkey said his side had every chance.

"We're quite confident we can turn them over," he said. "Hopefully last week's slip-up should gee the players up."

Batley beat New Earswick in the first game of the season but it was a close game, with All Blacks having led by 18 points until the last quarter.

"They're a good young side with very talented backs and they're doing well this year," said Malarkey.

"But we will have a strong team out and we've got enough to beat them. They are beating the same teams we are without running away any games. Anything can happen in a cup match."

New recruit Matt Godfrey is not allowed to play as he hasn't featured in the mandatory two league games, while Jamie Daniel is also out because of a groin injury that could rule him out for the rest of the season.

Pete Nowell is a doubt due to work commitments, but returning to the squad are player-coach Simon Baynes, Jojo Hnesh, Steve Perks and Mick Harrison.

The coach leaves New Earswick shops at noon and Knavesmire gate at 12.15pm. All supporters are welcome.

Heworth will be big favourites to continue their promotion push in National Conference League division two with a victory at home to bottom club Millom.

However, the Villagers would have taken note of the Cumbrians' good showing at leaders Milford Marlins last week, in which they pushed the Leeds side all the way before losing 24-12, as well as their narrow defeat to fourth-placed Eastmoor just before that.

Player-coach Brendan Carlyle said: "We've had a look at their recent results and it looks as though they've turned a corner. We can't go into the game in the wrong frame of mind."

Carlyle (chest) is one of the players nursing injuries following last week's bruising win at Normanton. He and Carl Barrow (back) are doubtful, as is Nikki Wilson because of his long-standing knee problem, while Lee Clarke (knee ligament), who was to see a specialist today, is definitely out.

However, second-row Jason Kane returns after proving his sharpness in the 'A' team last week, for whom he scored the winning try, and Liam Cochrane comes back after a virus.

York Acorn have a chance to climb nearer the top half of the table as they visit Huddersfield Syngenta.

The West Yorkshire outfit are level on points with Acorn but are one place above them on points difference.

The York and District ARL Cup sees Pennine League division four rivals York Groves and Wetherby Bulldogs clash on Saturday.

Groves, who now lie bottom of that division, have home advantage at Oaklands, but Wetherby are four places above them in the table.

Selby Warriors will have to be on form on Saturday as they entertain second-placed Stanningley Crown in Yorkshire League division two, a team who put 76 points past bottom side White Hart last week.

But Selby had 21 players to pick from last week for their fine in at Ackworth and, with more to come back this week (players meet 1pm), things are looking up.

York Acorn 'A' entertain Dewsbury Moor in Yorkshire League division two, while Heworth 'A' have a tough trip to Allerton Bywater in YL division three.

Updated: 11:55 Thursday, February 27, 2003