New Earswick All Blacks could hammer another nail in rivals York Acorn's re-election coffin when the two sides clash in a crucial derby encounter at Thanet Road on Saturday.

Off the hook: New Earswick All Blacks' John Leach is available to face Acorn after he was given sending off sufficient for his dismissal against Dewsbury Moor

Acorn cannot afford anymore slip-ups in their final five games if they are to avoid one of the bottom two spots in the National Conference second division.

But defeat for the All Blacks would also leave them facing a nervous end to the season.

The Blue and Golds are favourites to join basement club Keighley Albion in seeking re-election next season. Ovenden currently occupy the second bottom spot but they are just one point behind Acorn with three games in hand.

While Acorn showed their fighting spirit in their last league game with a 23-2 win over Dodworth, New Earswick have been in free fall and have suffered some heavy defeats since the start of the year.

That has left them only one place above their York neighbours and, though five points clear, defeat on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm) would drag them right into the quagmire.

Both clubs' plight should add even more spice to the showdown, though they will be hard pushed to repeat the drama of their November meeting.

Mick Harrison stole the glory with a last minute drop goal to give the All Blacks an 11-10 victory in a game which saw five players sent off.

Acorn's Mick Calam and Dave Pearson, along with New Earswick's Dave Carling and Lee McTigue, were all given their marching orders for their part in a mass brawl while Darren Callaghan, now with York Wasps, was red carded for a separate incident.

Acorn coach Stewart Smith said: "I still believe we will avoid re-election and I have been impressed of late by the performances of several promising up and coming juniors such as Alan Willitts, who has taken to the open age arena like a fish to water.

"If we play positive, disciplined, error-free rugby we will win. But to do that we must prize possession and not relinquish the ball too cheaply."

Filling the stand-off role is Smith's biggest problem. Talented youngster Danny Liddell is out with a hand injury, second choice Stephen Waldron is missing with an ankle injury while substitute scrum-half Dean Kilbride is out for the rest of the season.

Regular hooker and captain Lee Frank may switch to stand-off with loose forward Gary Endersby taking over the number nine shirt.Mark Hebblethwaite is unavailable due to work commitments and Simon Cornish may again be absent due to a recurring back problem. Acorn should welcome back second rower Carl Rollinson, a try-scorer in the defeat by New Earswick, and Kenny Embleton is expected to come through a late fitness test on an arm injury.

The All Blacks have second row forward John Leach available after he escaped a ban for his sending off against Dewsbury Moor.

Their only injury doubt is centre Jez Petch who will have a late fitness test on a broken finger.

Heworth face a desperate fight to avoid relegation from the NCL premier division and will need to overturn the form book dramatically if they are to pick up points on Saturday.

The injury-hit Villagers face title favourites West Hull at Elmpark Way (2.30pm) with the prospect of demotion looming large.

After Saturday they will have just three games left and all are against sides in the top six.

Chris Plowman, Chris Hammerton and Steve Barnard all missed last Saturday's National Cup defeat at Queens in which Tony Howcroft, Danny Wright, Mark Green and Andy Gabel picked up knocks. Their injuries will be assessed this week.

York Groves will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat at Mulberry when they entertain third placed Allerton at Burdyke in the Yorkshire League third division. Selby Warriors visit North Leeds in division two.

York Acorn 'A' travel to Wakefield to play Stanley Rangers 'A' in the Yorkshire Alliance second division (kick-off 2.30pm) New Earswick 'A' are at home to Batley Boys in the same division, while Heworth 'A' travel to Shaw Cross in the first division.

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