JACK STEARMAN has reiterated the need for his New Earswick All Blacks ARLC side to make White Rose Avenue a fortress in order to have any chance of promotion.

All Blacks are yet to notch an away win in the Pennine League but have been good at home, with one victory recorded in the championship one table and another unfortunately wiped off after the league was restructured and opponents Queensbury were placed in the premier division.

They host fellow mid-table side Allerton Bywater this Saturday (2pm) bolstered by returning players and looking for more maximum points.

Said Stearman: "This league is about winning your home games and catching the odd away victory.

"We beat Queensbury the other week, which set a good marker, so we know we can do it."

A depleted All Blacks outfit lost 24-14 at Morley Borough last week and, while Stearman admitted his disappointment, he reckoned it could have been very different had the referee been bolder in punishing a home player for kicking a grounded opponent.

"Circumstances meant we travelled light and there was an incident in the game when the referee should probably have sent a man off instead of sin-binning him," he said.

"It was a tough game and in the second half we ran out of steam, but if they had played light in the second half, we may have had an opportunity.

"That said, we have to blame ourselves and look to improve this week."

Stearman, who was back in action last week after three weeks out for medical reasons, will welcome back fellow experienced forwards Joe Hemmings and Nic Caldwell, as well as Jack Sinclair.

Tom Barron is also in the ranks after becoming the latest Heworth ARLC player to sign up for winter rugby at their neighbouring club.

Sherburn Bears, whose unbeaten start to the division four season ended with defeat at fellow high-fliers Crofton Cougars last week, go to another in-form outfit, Wakefield City, while, at the other end of the table, Selby Warriors will be keen to notch their second win of term as they visit Farnley Falcons, who are yet to get off the mark.