JACK STEARMAN is hoping home fires can burn to help New Earswick ARLC rise up the Pennine League championship.

The All Blacks bounced back from their cup hammering at Drighlington to bag their first league win of term last week against bottom team King Cross and they again have home advantage this Saturday (2pm), when they hope to end Queenbury’s unbeaten start.

Player-coach Stearman said: “We performed for 39 minutes last week before letting in a soft try. We were disappointed not to kick on after half-time but we got a good win and we’ll be looking to play for the full 80 minutes this time.

“One of strengths lies in our ball-playing ability and our two (league) games away from home have both been on tight pitches giving us little chance to play our game. It showed last weekend when we were at home that we can punish teams.”

Dean Smith and Adam Caddie have joined the unavailable list but prop Nic Caldwell returns.

Selby Warriors, with only one win in division four so far, are favourites for victory this Saturday as they go to Boothtown ‘A’, who are winless in division six, in the Supplementary Cup first round.

In-form Sherburn host Wortley in division four.