HEWORTH ARLC are hoping a high-intensity pre-season strength and conditioning programme will help push them on to success this year.

The Villagers opened their season with a 26-6 defeat to neighbours York Acorn 'A' in the Yorkshire Men's League's pre-season Forty-20 Cup last weekend, and they host Skirlaugh Bulls 'A' this Saturday (2.30pm).

Player-coach George Elliott, the former York City Knights winger, is optimistic the training at new sponsors Crossfit Jorvik, based on the Ebor industrial estate near Layerthorpe, will stand them in good stead for the months ahead and ultimately help them rise back up the amateur ranks after dropping out of the National Conference League last year.

Elliott, 24, a former dual-code Leeds and England youth international who is now one of the youngest open-age head coaches in the British game after his appointment in the off-season, said: “After a tough few seasons for the club, I have a strong squad of positive, young players who are very much looking to prove a point to themselves and the people of York.

“We want to set a benchmark for ourselves and the year ahead. The boys are well prepared for it thanks to Peter Gribbon and his help at Crossfit Jorvik.

"Being a former rugby player himself, he knew exactly what to prepare the boys for, and as such the squad has followed a tough but enjoyable programme at his gym. We’ll be back through the season to keep our strength up for when the going gets tough.”