YORK Acorn coach Leigh Paul-Rientoul has stepped out of retirement to try and help the club survive in the National Conference Premier Division.

Two years since making his farewell appearance, Paul-Rientoul was forced to play in last weekend's game at Kells following the late withdrawal of regular scrum-half Tim Elliot.

Although unable to prevent the side suffering a fifth consecutive defeat, he now plans to stay in the side for this weekend's home game against Pilkington Recs.

"I hadn't been planning to play but someone dropped out for family reasons and I couldn't get a replacement," he said.

"It gave me the chance to look at things from a different angle and I saw things that sometimes you are unable to see from the sidelines.

"I had decided to stop playing after a couple of injuries," he recalled. "I had played the game for 23 years and I had done everything I wanted to do as a player. But I had also fallen out of love with playing the game and I am getting that back now!

"We have not really had a halfback who has been directing things or moving people around this season so - the way things are going - I think we might benefit if I keep on filling the shoes for now."

Pressure is mounting on Acorn who are six points adrift of safety after winning just two games all season.

However, Paul-Rientoul insists that the season was always going to be a battle against the drop following the club's promotion last season via the play-offs.

"Deep down, we all knew this was going to be a tough season," he said. "Maybe we shouldn't have gone up last season? It's difficult when you get promoted as a team that has finished fifth out of 12. "Realistically, you are a mid-table side but you have gone up. We might have been better staying down!

"But we are in this league now and you have just got to tough it out and learn from the experience," he added.

Acorn will be looking to improve their points tally during a forthcoming run of three consecutive home games against Pilkington, Lock Lane, and Rochdale Mayfield

But they may have to manage without captain Joe Budd who missed training this week with a knock.

Michael Embleton has also been ruled out for the next two to three weeks with a dislocated shoulder.

Jack Stewart, however, is available again after missing last week's game.

York Acorn 'A', meanwhile, host West Bowling in the Yorkshire Men's League Premier Division. Mick Lumby's side climbed to fifth in the table last weekend after a 28-18 victory over Siddal Academy.

Heworth, who were also in action last night at Bentley, visit Queensbury in YML division one.

York Lokomotive will be seeking to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat when they visit third placed Keighley Albion in YML division two.