HEWORTH ARLC player-boss George Elliott reckons Saturday’s top-of-the-table Yorkshire Men’s League division one derby could prove crucial in the title race – although New Earswick All Blacks counterpart Jack Stearman is less convinced.

The two rivals are currently neck and neck at the summit, a third of the way through the league campaign with five wins from six outings.

Both, however, will be understrength, with Elliott and Stearman among the key men missing.

Stearman is off to Ukraine with Adam Kirby, Liam Gargan, Dean Smith and Tom Holmes as part of the York & District ARL representative tour, as is Heworth playmaker Liam Jackson.

The Villagers are also missing Callum Worthington with a broken arm and David Hayes, who, like Elliott, is unavailable.

Elliott said: “It’s a big one. I think it will be close at the end of the season and whoever wins this will have an advantage.

“They’re a good team and Jack’s doing a great job.”

He added: “I believe there was talk from their camp about postponing it because of the players missing – but it’s a chance for other people to step up and play in a big derby and we’ve got players chomping at the bit.

“I’m gutted not to be playing in it and I dare say so are all the players who are missing.”

All Blacks won the last clash 36-24 in March en route to winning the pre-season Forty-20 Cup.

Asked if winning this one was vital in the title race, Stearman said: “It’s a long season with plenty of games left.

“It helps but it won’t go a long way to deciding who wins the league.”

He added: “I’m really disappointed to miss it but the lads who are playing will put the shirt on with pride and give it their all.

“We’re at home and it’s not about who’s missing but the teams out there. We’ve got strength in depth and I’d trust anyone who puts the shirt on.”

York Lokomotive are also facing an early-season table-top clash, hosting Whinmoor in a division four showdown. Lokos have not played since hammering Wibsey ‘A’, during which time Whinmoor have kicked off their campaign with two big wins.