NEW Earswick All Blacks ARLC kick off their Pennine League season on Saturday with player-boss Jack Stearman setting his stall out straight away - targeting a league and cup double.

After a confusing off-season in which the Pennine League came close to a major restructure before revising the format, and with All Blacks initially put into the premier division after teams were shuffled, Stearman's men will begin the new campaign where they left off the last, in the same second tier, the championship, facing many of the same opponents as last term.

And, following a third-placed finish in the spring, they will be gunning for a berth in the premier division on merit this time around.

"We're setting ourselves the goal to win the league and the York & District Cup," said Stearman, when asked of his targets this season.

"We believe we can do it. We finished third last time so we were the best of the rest behind the two that went up.

"I'd like to think we can be the best again with the same group of players and similar teams in the division and with another year behind us.

"We weren't ready to go up to the premier division this year and that's one of the reasons we wrote to the league officials asking not to be put in the top flight. We want to go up on merit when the team is ready, and I believe this year we'll be able to do that.

"We had a three-year plan to go up to the premier division and this is the third year. We're ready to push for promotion this year."

Asked who his key men would be, Stearman said: "The whole squad.

"Everyone will play their part. We had 26 players for the pre-season friendly and that was with a couple sidelined. Everyone will get their opportunities and I'm sure they'll all be needed.

"In the first three weeks of the season we've got a league fixture and two cup fixtures and they will all get opportunities in these games.

"It will be a tough year and they will all get game-time. We're out to win all our games and everyone will be part of that."

All Blacks kick off this season away to Stainland Stags (2.30pm) - one of the new teams to this division after promotion last year - and Stearman admitted his side were going into the unknown.

"I've never played them before but they've moved up the leagues so will be a good team," he said.

"We're looking to start the season the right way - by getting a result. Away from home it's never easy but we're looking forward to it."

Selby Warriors, placed into division two, kick off their campaign away to Greetland All Rounders.

Meanwhile, the BARLA Yorkshire Cup first round draw has been made and pitches All Blacks at Hull side Reckitts, Acorn at Cutsyke, and York Lokomotive with a tough trip to Fryston Warriors, who beat Myton Warriors in the preliminary round.

Acorn, beaten by title-chasing Pilkington Recs last week, host play-off rivals Hunslet Warriors on Saturday (2.30pm) in a key National Conference League division one encounter.

With a trip to leaders Kells coming a week later, the Blue and Golds, in a six-team battle for three play-off places, ideally require victory to boost their chances and dent those of the Warriors.