10:21am Thursday 11th March 2010
By Steve Carroll
YORK Acorn coach Alfie Hill is hoping his side have finally found some consistency – as they face one of their sternest tests of the National Conference League premier division season.
The Blue and Golds recovered from 10-0 down to hit top gear and dole out a 54-16 thrashing to Widnes St Maries at Thanet Road last Saturday.
This weekend, they host fourth-placed Wath Brow Hornets, who have lost just four times all campaign.
But, boosted after Kyle Palmer, Tommy Hill and Joe Budd were included in the 28-man Great Britain Community Lions training squad ahead of a Test match against France ‘A’ on March 17, coach Hill is hoping his play-off seeking side have turned a corner.
“We have been a bit in and out,” he said. “We have been upset by the weather. We’ve played a game, then missed two weeks, and we have been a little bit rusty.
“We seem to be back to some consistency – and that’s the main thing in this league.”
Acorn will be without Daz Callaghan, who is missing because of work commitments but Hill hopes to welcome back former York City Knights skipper Scott Rhodes and Mark Sanderson.
On the edge of the top six, Hill thinks the Wath game will give him a fair idea about his side’s current form, and play-off ambitions.
He added: “We have got a tougher run-in than most. We have got four out of the top five to play but, if you are going to win anything, these are the teams you have to beat.”
In division one, Heworth – wounded following an 80-0 loss at Saddleworth Rangers – go to Rochdale Mayfield.
Both Selby Warriors and Selby Warriors ‘A’ are not in action.
York Acorn ‘A’ are at Mirfield in CMS Yorkshire League division two and rivals Heworth ‘A’ entertain Featherstone Lions.
New Earswick All Blacks look to bounce back from two defeats to survive relegation when they play Kippax Welfare. They are currently eighth, a point above the drop zone.
Without prop Wayne Foster they could welcome back forward Daryl Fogg.
And New Earswick ‘A’ look to boost their promotion hopes at home to Guiseley Rangers.
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