A DECADE and more of 'absence' will make the heart beat stronger in Saturday's long-awaited showdown between York Acorn and Heworth.

The city foes lock horns together at Acorn's Thanet Road headquarters for the first time in more than ten years when they put their respective National Conference League division two promotion drives on the line.

It will be the first Conference collision between the two and Saturday's duel, which kicks off at 2pm, has predictably stirred the pulses.

An extra edge has been afforded the clash because both sides are currently riding fairly high in the table, each still harbouring hopes of - at the very least - a top four finish.

Hosts Acorn were boosted by their defensive showing away at Castleford Panthers last week which helped pave the way for a solid 19-2 win, which ended a two-match losing run.

Prior to that Acorn had enjoyed a straight six-match unbeaten run and were relieved to have got back to winning ways especially as they face a testing trip away to Milford next week.

Acorn are fully aware of the importance of victory at home to the Villagers as it will give them a crucial four-point cushion over their rivals and take them on to 16 points with still over half a season remaining.

In previous derby clashes, usually against New Earswick, the Blue and Golds were too guilty of letting their hearts rule their heads and forgetting their game plan.

This season, apart from a couple of lapses, Acorn have shown good discipline and this week's game promises to be a tight, hard-fought contest with very little to choose between the two sides and the team which stays most composed are likely to be the winners.

Acorn hope to have virtually a full strength squad to pick from with the trio of Tim Wilcock, Lee Frank and Chris Martin joining the first team squad after missing last weeks game due to work commitments.

Visitors Heworth should also be at prime strength, though there is a fitness doubt hovering over second row forward Steve Barnard.

He suffered a rib injury in the Villagers' slender 12-11 defeat by Crosfields last week. If he were to miss the derby it would be a major blow for Heworth for whom he has made a great impact this season with five tries already to his credit.

However, club spokesman Ken Sykes said there would be little chance of players not being 'geed up' for Saturday's showdown.

Said Sykes: "It's been a long time since both clubs have played each other, but motivation won't be a problem for either side.

"It's been good to see both teams doing fairly well this season in what is not a particularly easy division.

"When we have played before we usually used to have the upper hand, but Acorn are a club on the up and it will not be easy.

"However, we feel quietly confident that we will give a good account of ourselves. I don't think there will be much in the game. The side that looks after the ball well and completes its sets of six will be the one to come out on top."

Updated: 12:04 Thursday, October 25, 2001