Three crunch games await York's trio of relegation-threatened National Conference League teams on Saturday.

Heworth, who slipped into the first division drop zone last weekend, entertain fellow strugglers Waterhead.

Second division basement club New Earswick All Blacks can get out of the bottom two if they beat Dewsbury Moor, who are just above the re-election places.

And York Acorn can escape the clutches of the re-election dogfight if they overcome form side Castleford Panthers.

With only four points separating the bottom five teams and seven games to go, Acorn know that they'll need to pick up two or three more wins to be safe from what would be a very dangerous re-election application, taking into consideration their recent history and the situation regarding Heworth and New Earswick.

Castleford in recent weeks have hit a rich vein of form to pull clear of the lower reaches themselves, with former York Wasps player Jamie Benn a big influence.

Another to watch is 15-try centre Peter Thornton who has notched eight tries in his last five games.

Several players return after missing the disappointing defeat at London Skolars - second rowers Dave Norman and Carl Rollinson, prop forwards Paul Dodsworth and Nicky Caldwell and centre Stewart Ridsdell.

New Earswick welcome back influential pair Lee McTigue and Lee Paterson for their home game with Dewsbury Moor.

McTigue has missed the last two games through suspension while Paterson was left out of the 40-12 defeat at Hull Dockers after sustaining a head injury in the previous match.

However, they will be without captain Jez Petch who broke his thumb last week.

Heworth should be able to put out a strong side for the visit of Waterhead.

Rich Darling will be back in contention after missing last week's heavy defeat at Leigh East with flu. Versatile Jimmy Rothwell could also return following a spell working in London, as could Dan Briggs who has been in Australia.

Doubts remain over Ian Jones (neck), Mark Green (groin), Neil Stephenson (shoulder) and Gavin Grant (hand), though Nikki Wilson could replace Stephenson after coming through an A-team game last week.

Kiwi half-back Tony Logan will make his home debut.

Acorn 'A' return to Yorkshire League division four action this week with a local derby at home to bottom placed side Heworth 'A' at Thanet Road (ko 2.30pm).

Acorn coach Mick Lumby will be demanding they get back to playing concentrated rugby for a full 80 minutes after throwing away a big lead against Selby Warriors in the semi-finals of the York and District Cup last week.

Selby are back in Yorkshire League division two action at Knottingley when they will be hoping to continue the second half form they showed against Acorn.

Despite travelling with just 14 players to Acorn due to injuries, they hit back from 23-4 down at half-time to win 24-23.

Neil Chadwick scored their first half try before further scores from player-coach Paul Helstrip (2), Colin Barker and Paul Friar, plus a goal apiece for Fennel and the match-winning kick by Barker, edged them to victory.

The Warriors are seeking old and new players to join the club. They train on Thursdays at Barlby High School from 7pm-8.30pm.

Updated: 13:45 Thursday, March 22, 2001