"WE won there last time and we can win there again."

That's the message from York Acorn ARLC boss Scott Rhodes as the team's entire National Conference League division one season comes to the crunch.

The Blue and Golds go to Shaw Cross on Saturday (2.30pm) in the do-or-die semi-finals after sealing a top-six spot on the last weekend of an incredibly tight play-off race in which only two points separated the Sharks in fourth from Myton Warriors in eighth. Indeed Acorn only secured their play-off berth by virtue of points-difference.

Rhodes has bemoaned his team's away form for much of the season, with only four victories to their name, but they battered relegated Salford City Roosters 42-6 on their own patch last week, while their best win on the road this term came at Saturday's opponents - 30-26 at the end of July.

Asked if his side, underdogs going into the game, can pull off victory, Rhodes said: "We're coming into the right form at the right time. Against Salford I thought we played very well, possibly the best we've played all year.

"We've got everybody fit and we've been training very well.

"Will we do it? Well we've done it before.

"We've got to play well, there's no doubt about that. Shaw Cross is a hard place to go. It's a small pitch and they've got quite a big aggressive side. Their half-backs are good and they've got a couple of Aussies who are very good for this level. It will be tough.

"But we won there last time and we can win there again.

"It was a bit of a Lewis Lord show that time - he pulled off a bit of magic to win it - and we haven't got Lewis any more (after he went to university). But we've got a good plan and we've got a lot of players chomping at the bit.

"We know what we're up against. They seem to be hitting form as well so it should be a good game."

Jordan Potter, Jake Calam, Antony Chilton and James Bromwich are all pushing for recalls after missing last week's win.

Asked if his generally young side are ready for a return to the premier division - the flagship competition in amateur rugby league - Rhodes said: "Time will tell. If we win on Saturday and then win the final we will deserve to go up. I've got a lot of time for this young squad.

"They say you're as good as you're last game, and I hope we're that good again this week as then we'll have a great chance.

"I've got some tough selection decisions to make but that's a great thing to have at this time of the season.

"I'm looking forward to going there and giving it our best shot."

Meanwhile, New Earswick All Blacks go to Batley Boys for their third game in the Pennine League championship looking to build on last week's excellent win over Odsal Sedbergh.

Selby Warriors visit Wyke seeking a third straight away win in division two, while Sherburn Bears, who have played one and won one in division four east, host Moorends Thorne Marauders, who have yet to win in three league outings.