YORK Acorn coach Leigh Paul-Rientoul has billed this weekend's National Conference League clash with Egremont Rangers as a 'must-win' game.

Buoyed by back-to-back victories in his first two games in charge, the former reserve team coach understands the importance of maintaining early momentum as his side look to climb out of the Premier Division bottom three.

Again in charge of the reserves - albeit for a final time - in Wednesday night's York and District Cup final against New Earswick All Blacks, Paul-Rientoul has kept one eye on the visit of Egremont all week.

The Cumbrians are level on points with Acorn at the wrong end of the table and, significantly, have also played two more games.

"Although the lads were buzzing ahead of the (A team) final in midweek, this is a 'must win' game for the club and more important," he said.

"We have stuck together since I took over and the confidence is growing," he added. "A couple more wins now and we should be out of the bottom three.

"It is going to be a tough game on Saturday but we want to take advantage of the fact that they have to come all the way from Cumbria on a four-hour bus ride."

Morale at Thanet Road was further boosted this week by news that Acorn have been voted Club of the Week by the Rugby Football League. It followed last week's victory over Beverley in the Forty20 Cup final.

Paul-Rientoul has also been chosen to lead the Yorkshire Men's League Lionhearts on tour to Serbia while five of the club's players are set to head out on various representative tours.

"To be voted the the best club in the country this week is a big honour," he said. "It is recognition for getting to the Forty20 final five years in a row, winning it again this time, and the last couple of league wins."

Elliott Barber and Jack Stewart are unavailable for this weekend's game while Daryl North (knee) and Mark Sanderson (thumb) will be given late fitness checks.

The A side, who are currently second in the Yorkshire Men's League Premier Division, travel to leaders Sharlston Rovers on Saturday aiming to close a four-point gap at the top of the table.

Acorn star Harry Bromwich, meanwhile, helped the BARLA Great Britain Lions Under-23s win the first two games of their tour to Jamaica.

Bromwich, who is due back at the club next week, started at loose-forward as the Lions won their opener against Jamaica ‘B’ 58-10, and was a substitute as they beat the Jamaican Hurricanes 38-6 in Kingston.

Elsewhere, York Lokomotive have an opportunity to leapfrog visitors Bradford Victoria Rangers in YML Division Two.

The two sides are currently level on points in the lower reaches of the table.