NEW Earswick All Blacks player-boss Jack Stearman has hailed the return of York derbies aplenty in amateur rugby league as his team go in search of early-season silverware.

All Blacks have switched from the winter Pennine League to the summer Yorkshire Men's League this year, being put in division one alongside Heworth and York Acorn 'A'.

They have also met those two neighbours in group games for the pre-season Forty-20 Cup competition, maintaining a 100 per cent record last week at home to Heworth to leave them on the verge of qualifying for the semi-finals.

"It's been great to play some competitive rugby league and to have these derbies back is great," said Stearman.

"We've played Acorn and Heworth, who are also in our division, and we've enjoyed good results. We were at home, though, which was an advantage.

"There have been quite a few people watching too, which is good."

All Blacks now need a point from their trip to Doncaster Toll Bar on Saturday (2.30pm) in their last of four pool matches to be sure of reaching the semis - though they will have to travel without three pivotal players, to a premier division side, too.

"We'll be going for the win," said Stearman, who is part of an expanded coaching team at White Rose Avenue alongside former boss Simon Baines, youth coaches Mark Baines and Trevor Sadler, and ex-York favourite Chris Judge.

"They're a premier division team and we're away from home so it will be tough.

"We're also missing a few key players - Liam Gargan, Tom Barron (half-backs), Sean Malarkey (full-back) and Adam Caddie (back-row) - so it will be even tougher without them.

"But we wanted to use the Forty-20 Cup to experiment which is what we can do again. It's been really pleasing that we've been able to do that in the three games so far and won them all. Some people have missed out and we've still got results.

"It's great for the coaching team that they're doing what we want from them and that they're buying into what we want to do as a club."

Asked if they were targeting this cup, he said: "Initially we weren't - it was more as a way to get back into action after a long break and try a few things.

"But we're in a position to win it now so we can target it, depending on this weekend's result.

"We're missing our pivots but other people can step up and stake a claim for a shirt."

One of those to get a call-up will be under-18s half-back George Hunt, with others to be decided after training tonight.

Stearman, meanwhile, reckons the fact All Blacks and Heworth played an 'A' team friendly last week, in addition to the first-team clash, also suggests amateur rugby league in York is on the up again.

"I think it shows it's looking stronger," he said. "Heworth and ourselves had 35-40 players playing last weekend, Acorn have two teams of course and there's York Lokos as well. It's looking good."

Acorn 'A', who have lost their grip on this cup which they won last year, finish their group games at home to Bentley, while Heworth, also seeking a first win, host Beverley.