NEW-LOOK New Earswick All Blacks ARLC face their first fixture under new boss Jack Stearman on Saturday as Pennine League rivals Wyke visit White Rose Avenue (2pm), writes Peter Martini.

Stearman, the former York City Knights and Gateshead Thunder prop, who is also the Knights’ community development officer, took over the reins back at his amateur club this summer, with stalwart player Liam Gargan an assistant.

Another former All Blacks product who went on to play for York and Gateshead, Tom Hodgson is also helping out when he can get down from the North East where he lives, while current Halifax and Wales star Ross Divorty, who likewise came through the White Rose Avenue junior ranks, has taken a few conditioning sessions too.

Stearman expects Hodgson to play a few games this coming season and may don the boots himself, while ex-Knights second-row Joe Hemmings is returning to the club too once fit.

Said Stearman: “We’ve kept the core of the team, such as Liam Gargan and Adam Kirby in key positions, but with a few additions which should do us well.”

Stalwart Chris Spain is starting the season in an off-field role after badly breaking his leg last term while Jack Sinclair is also unavailable until the new year due to injury, but Daz Gargan, Liam’s brother, and under-18s forwards Luke Morton and Pete Ritchie are among those added to the squad, from whom Stearman hopes for good things.

All Blacks face two more friendlies after Saturday, against Heworth on Tuesday, August 20, and York Lokos on Tuesday, August 31, both at White Rose Avenue.

The Pennine League championship season starts on September 7 but All Blacks are likely to kick off on September 19 as a few players are away that first weekend.