YORK Acorn ARLC face a "big three weeks" which could go a long way to cementing their place in the National Conference League division one play-offs - or leave them in a scrap for a top-six spot.

Scott Rhodes' men go to top two Pilkington Recs and Kells either side of a home clash with play-off rivals Hunslet Warriors, and Rhodes is well aware it promises to be a tough sequence, especially with his side's dodgy away form.

As things stand, Saturday's hosts Recs and leaders Kells are fighting it out for the two automatic promotion with Normanton. Then come Acorn in fourth, but they head Ince Rose Bridge and Hunslet only on points difference, and only three points separate them from Shaw Cross in ninth.

It leaves the Blue and Golds ideally needing to win at least two of the next three outings to stand them in good stead before they finish their season with games against struggling Salford Roosters and Saddleworth.

And Rhodes was hoping they could start by shocking Pilkington (2.30pm).

"It will be tough - but then every away game seems to be tough for us," he said.

"We drew with Pilks at home and didn't play particularly well so we can definitely beat them. But they're really well drilled. I can see them and Kells going up - they're the most consistent sides - and we've got play them both.

"It's a big three weeks for us. If we do reach the play-offs, which is our goal, then we're capable of beating anyone.

"If we finish fourth, we will be at home in the play-offs and our home form is good.

"But we've got to pick up points to do that. We have to win our home games and winning at Pilkington or Hunslet would be a bonus. If we do that, we've got a great chance."

The final placings could yet come down to points difference. Added Rhodes: "We've got a great points difference at the moment. We've got one of the best attacking records in the league.

"We've had a few too many 'nearly games' away from home when we could have won but didn't. We could do with changing that. We just have to carry on and play our best every week, starting on Saturday."

Rhodes will be without captain Tom Hill, starlet hooker Lewis Lord, Harry Bromwich and Daryl North, as well as pack kingpin Davey Burns, who has played only intermittently due to other commitments. Lord is off to university so will be unavailable for the rest of term.

Said Rhodes: "He's been brilliant for us so it's a big loss. But the second team are doing well and we have players who can slot in."

They include Karl Harton and Jimmy Mountford, who have been in impressive form, while Josh Mortimer, crocked for the last four games, Nick Speck and Josh Thompson could also come in.

That Acorn 'A' team have finished second in Yorkshire Men's League division one and on Saturday host third-placed Siddal 'A' in the play-off semi-finals.

Meanwhile, the Pennine League, involving New Earswick All Blacks, Selby Warriors and Sherburn Bears, will kick off a week later than planned, on September 26, due to the difficulty the league have had re-registering players from summer competitions.

Another change to the structure puts All Blacks in a championship of ten clubs, with the top two to go up to a six-team premier division. There is no longer east and west sections and a "super 6s" format.

Cup draws have been made, sending All Blacks to Queensbury in the President’s Cup first round, and Selby to Greetland in the Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy, while in the Supplementary Cup Sherburn host Ryhill Hammers.