NEW Earswick All Blacks ARLC might have struggled again to field a team last week but the fact a bare 13 players battled for a draw is a huge positive.

That was the opinion of player-coach Jack Stearman, who expects a full complement of players - and victory - this Saturday as All Blacks host Stainland Stags at White Rose Avenue (2pm).

Stearman's men remain in the lower reaches of the Pennine League championship - a two-point deduction for failing to fulfil a fixture in the autumn not helping - but the former York City Knights prop remains confident an upturn in fortunes will come amid another season hit by an erratic fixture list.

"I think the inconsistency of the playing programme at the moment didn't help us (as regards getting more players) last week, along with the weather forecast," said Stearman, whose side had not previously played since the end of November prior to the 18-18 draw with Brotherton.

"We were hit by quite a few more injures as well. I don't think it (the lack of numbers) is a long-term worry - it was just one of those weekends where everything fell that way at once.

"We'd had our best session at training last Thursday so there are no worries really.

"The thing is we went with only 13 players and still got a point.

"I thought we were unlucky not to win. We bombed a couple of opportunities which on another day would have won us the game.

"Finally getting a game in has helped with the buzz around the place, and we're really keen to kick on for the back end of the season."

Stainland sit fourth in the table but Stearman says All Blacks should be more than a match for them on home soil.

"We're pretty even I think," he said. "We lost by four points to them at their place on the opening day of the season but came away feeling we should have won.

"We can get the two points this time if we perform on the day."

Sam Waite is out until February at least after an operation on a longstanding shoulder injury, but All Blacks are hoping Jamie Norris will be back this Saturday having had to remain on the sidelines last week as he recovers from a rib injury.

It could be a knockout weekend for Selby Warriors as they return to action in a BARLA National Cup first round tie at Queens (2pm). The Leeds side are struggling in the Pennine League premier division but traditionally are notoriously tough at home. Selby are chasing promotion in the fourth tier.

Sherburn Bears return to action with a trip to Illingworth in the Pennine League Supplementary Cup third round. Sherburn are unbeaten in division four east, with Illingworth flying high in division four west.

l THE York & District ARL annual general meeting will take place at South Bank Social Club, in Ovington Terrace, on Wednesday, January 27, starting at 7.30pm.

The York & Selby Referees meeting will take place at New Earswick Sports Club, on Monday, February 1, starting at 7.30pm.