YORK Lokomotive ARLC kick off their league season on Saturday with orders to find massive improvements on last weekend's derby drubbing.

They face a formidable challenge in their opening match of their Yorkshire Men's League division two campaign, away to a Cutsyke Raiders side who have reached the Castleford & District Cup.

Lokomotive, conversely, crashed 54-10 to Pennine League neighbours New Earswick All Blacks in their York & District Cup tie on Knavesmire last week and the club are well aware they need to be better if they are to fulfil goals of finishing in the top two of their YML tier.

Said chairman Simon Moat: "The scoreline and performance last week were terribly disappointing.

"I know Mick Hagan (coach) is working on a lot of fundamentals in training, trying to put right a few wrongs.

"He felt the team display was extremely sloppy and we're looking for big improvements this week."

As for YML division two, Moat said: "It's a similar standard to last year - we know most of the teams, with the exception of Cutsyke. What we do know about them, though, is that they've been in good form and have got to the final of the Cas & District Cup, which is a good standard.

"We know it will be a tough start and that we'll have to be much better."

York Acorn 'A' host Norland Sharks in the premier division looking to get back to winning ways, but they will have a much-changed side as several of the Blue and Golds' squad, both first team and 'A' team, will be in Magaluf for the Majorca Beach Rugby tournament.

The first team have no fixture, though, as it is National Conference Challenge Trophy first round weekend and they did not enter this competition, so reserves coach Leigh Paul-Rientoul can call on some of those men.

Acorn boss Scott Rhodes explained the reasons his side did not enter the Trophy.

"It was always going to be tough for us coming up to the National Conference premier division and I don't think with a young side we needed any extra games," he said.

"We've had the Challenge Cup ties, there's the York cup and both our open-age sides are in premier divisions of their respective leagues, plus the 'A' team have the Forty20 Cup, which they've reached the final of, and I think that's enough."

Rhodes' team have yet to break their duck in amateur rugby league's elite tier after five games and face a tough return to action next week at Cumbrian big-guns Wath Brow Hornets.

He added: "I don't think we could have picked a harder start, but we've been competing and as long as we're doing that I'll be happy.

"We would be winning these games in division one but in this league teams don't let you off the hook. The lads will learn, though."

Heworth will look to make it third time lucky in YML division one after two defeats as they go to Wibsey Warriors who likewise are without a league win so far.

Meanwhile, New Earswick must wait another week to complete their Pennine League winter championship season, their last match, at home to West Leeds Eagles, being scheduled for next weekend.