Heworth will travel to Cottingham Tigers on Saturday looking to fulfil a Yuletide wish by holding on to a promotion place.

The Villagers lie second in National Conference League division two and, should they stay there come Christmas Day, it will not only add to the celebrations but also provide a psychological boost as they head towards the new year with three-fifths of the season already passed.

However, with both their rivals for that spot behind Wath Brow playing lowly opposition, they know only a victory is likely to see them keep their noses in front.

"It's a vital game for us," said spokesman Ken Sykes. "This is our last game of the year and it will be nice to go out on a high and set us up for 2003."

Heworth are without a game next week - they were scheduled to play Dewsbury Moor, who have dropped out of the league - so need the points on Saturday to stay on terms with their rivals come the new year.

"We won at home against Cottingham but they have been playing quite well of late. They're a bit of a handful.

"They beat Dudley Hill last week (in the Challenge Cup) and they're from a higher division so it's going to be tough. We won't be taking them for granted."

Carl Potter has joined Steve Barnard and Jason Kane on the shoulder-injury list and is a doubt for the match. If he misses out, Brendan Carlyle is likely to take over kicking duties.

York Acorn, the form team in the division after three consecutive wins, will look to continue their rise up the table as they entertain Widnes St Marie's.

And apart from anything else, the Blue and Golds will want to make a point to the Cheshiremen.

"Widnes played us off the park at their place but we did not perform at all, so we want to keep our run going and obviously put the record straight against them," said spokesman Paul Lumby.

Acorn will again have to make changes as experienced prop Alan Hebblethwaite is unavailable, while fellow front-rowers Mick Hagan and Paul Dodsworth both face late tests on hamstrings. On a plus-point, influential forward Lee Frank returns after a four-match ban, while winger Alan Willitts and exciting hooker Dean Kilbridge also come back after unavailability and injury respectively.

Lumby added: "We've got tough matches coming up and it's important we keep this improved form going as best we can, despite having to keep on changing the team."

York and District's Yorkshire League clubs are now out of action until the new year, as are Pennine League side York Groves.

Updated: 12:09 Thursday, December 19, 2002