NEW Earswick All Blacks ARLC boss Jack Stearman says that having some of the club’s former aces back training again has been a huge fillip for the current first team.

New Earswick and neighbours Heworth are to stage an eagerly anticipated over-35s game next month for charity, in memory of respective club stalwarts Ady Robinson and Phil Marwood.

And, as part of the preparations, All Blacks’ old boys - including the likes of former Hull KR and York star Garry Atkins and ex-coach Simon Baynes - have been having sessions down at White Rose Avenue.

Said Stearman: “We’ve been training with the over-35s, and having people like Garry and Simon there is really helping our young lads, just seeing how they do things.

“Garry was chucking out some old boots the other day and I asked him if they had any sentimental value. He said, ‘Not really, but I did play at Wembley in them.’

“Some of our lads were in awe. I think it’s all contributed to our performances.”

The over-35s match is at Heworth’s Elm Park Way ground on Saturday, April 11, kicking off at 2.30pm, with all money raised going to Brain Cancer Research and Meningitis Research Foundation.

The two teams are getting new kits for the occasion, while there will also be a considerable raffle and auction, with plenty of quality rugby league memorabilia already up for grabs. A huge crowd is expected.

Meanwhile, All Blacks host Batley Boys this Saturday (2.30pm) looking to extend their 100 per cent home record in Pennine League championship one.

Fresh from a 36-22 win over Brotherton last week which kept his side second, and with Reece Blake, Karl Southerington, Liam Gargan and Ben Pulleyn all expected to be back in contention, Stearman said: “We’re confident.

“The first-half performance last week was our best in my two years as coach.

“We’ve also gone seven unbeaten at home and we’ll try to make it eight.”

Pennine League division four neighbours Selby Warriors and Sherburn Bears clash in the Selby ARL Cup semi-finals, with Sherburn probably starting as slight favourites but needing to overturn a run of three defeats in four games and overturn a league loss to the Warriors earlier in November.

A heavy penalty count contributed to the Bears’ surprise loss at Dearne Valley Bulldogs last week, which dented their promotion challenge.