BOSS Jack Stearman says his New Earswick All Blacks ARLC side deserve silverware after the year they have endured - and they’ll be gunning for it in the York & District Community Cup.

All Blacks go to Thanet Road on Saturday (2pm) for their semi-final against York Acorn, who are set to field their reserves, with their first team in National Conference League action on the adjacent pitch.

All Blacks were “garbage” last time out as their unbeaten home record in Pennine League championship one crumbled in a 54-6 defeat to Morley Borough. But Stearman says they want a good finish to the season and, with the league campaign having turned into a “farce” with two more clubs having now dropped out, the local cup is key to that.

Said Stearman: “We’re always after some silverware and the lads deserve it given the year they’ve had, with the league re-structures and changes. They deserve something positive from the season.

“We were garbage against Morley but have had some good sessions since.”

Pennine League championship one this term has seen a number of reorganisations and reshuffles after clubs left to join the National Conference.

The upshot has been a disparate, disjointed campaign - a new unwelcome twist seeing St Joseph’s and Newsome Panthers concede their remaining fixtures, including games against New Earswick.

Stearman’s men had three matches left but now only one, and the player-boss said: “That’s another reason why the York Cup is important to us.

“The league’s been a bit of a farce this season, which is a shame, but we don’t want it to be a waste of a year.”

All Blacks will be without Reece Blake and Charlie Hill, both injured, while Adam Kirby faces a late fitness test, but Sean Malarkey is available while home from university.

Acorn ‘A’ are led by Leigh Rientoul but head coach Scott Rhodes stressed all their players train as one - and want to get one over their neighbours.

“It’s New Earswick, it’s a derby,” said Rhodes. “All our players are working hard to be in the first team which is good for me and good for Leigh. They’ll be going out there to prove a point and get to the final.”

Acorn’s first team, meanwhile, host in-form Shaw Cross Sharks (2.30pm) in NCL division one.

After losing to Pilkington Recs and Elland, the Sharks have won three straight matches to go fourth in the early standings, one place behind the Blue and Golds on points-difference.

Rhodes’ men, meanwhile, nicked a draw with a late try against Recs last week.

“They’re a good side and their recent form has been good,” said Rhodes of the visitors. “I think they’ve got a couple of overseas players and a couple of ex-pros in the middle.

“We didn’t play particularly well last week but we got a draw against a good team. It wasn’t the result we were looking for but we did some good things in an overall bad performance.

“We’re looking to improve and, like we said last week, it’s important to win your home games if you’re going to do anything in this league.”

Rhodes will be without Davey Burns (work) and Josh Mortimer (injured), while Johnny Waldron faces a late test. Nick Speck is back from injury, though, while Jack Baynes, Josh Thompson, Adam Endersby and Adam Sellars are all pushing for places.

In Pennine League division four, Selby Warriors, beaten by Eastmoor in the Supplementary Cup semi-final last week, host Wakefield City.

Promotion-chasing Sherburn Bears, who were handed a walkover win last week as opponents Dewsbury Celtic have conceded their remaining fixtures, have no game.