JACK STEARMAN is hoping New Earswick All Blacks ARLC’s shock victory over Bank Top Harriers can set them off on a winning run – hopefully to include another cup upset against old friends.

Player-coach Stearman was man of the match as the All Blacks, of the Pennine League championship, beat premier division opponents Bank Top in the BARLA Yorkshire Cup last time out.

Bank Top are coached by Stearman’s former York City Knights team-mate Adam Mitchell, and the draw has pitted All Blacks against more familiar faces – a Thornhill Trojans side coached by former Knights boss James Ratcliffe and featuring ex-Knight Danny Ratcliffe, pictured, and former Hunslet player Luke Haigh. The Trojans are currently unbeaten in the premier division.

Ahead of that tie, the York outfit must first host Slaithwaite Saracens in the league, and Stearman is confident his side can continue in good spirits. “It was a great result against Bank Top and we are at full-strength this Saturday, barring Tom Holmes, who is a doubt with a knee injury,” said Stearman.

“It won’t be easy but we’re playing well to be honest and if we play like we did against Bank Top we will hopefully get the victory and go into the Yorkshire Cup game in good form.

“Everyone is enjoying it and working as a team.”

Adam Caddie and Jack Hodgson are available again after their commitments with Heworth ARLC, while there could be a debut for George Maalouf, a Greek winger who played while studying in Lebanon and is now doing a Masters at the University of York.

He has been training for the past month and Stearman said: “He’s still getting used to the physicality and skill at this level but he looks all right and he’s quick. He’s certainly good to have around.”

Selby Warriors face a tough task on their return to division one action at home to an unbeaten Boothtown side.

Selby Warriors ‘A’ have a break this weekend, probably a much-needed one after the ageing side’s exertions against Odsal last Saturday – winning for the first time this term with only 11 men following a controversial opening to the division seven match.

In only the second minute, Jason Dunwell, given the captaincy on his debut, was sent off for a high tackle, and his son, Alec Dunwell, was dismissed ten minutes later after an altercation with an opponent.

Selby had a mountain to climb but the players stood up to the task, led by man-of-the-match Alec Lyndsay, who scored a superb hat-trick with breathtaking footwork in the 52-24 win.

Jamie Willis at hooker also shone, scoring two touchdowns and having a hand in the try of the game when he passed to loose-forward Deano Edwards, who ran a great angle to swallow dive over the line. Edwards needed emergency first aid at the side of the pitch due to rib problems and played no further part.

Lee Bennett excelled in the second row, capped by two good tries, as did Richard Young, who set up a fine try for player-coach Jay Shaw.

The last try came from speedy full-back Danny England, while there was also another good performance from James Lancaster.