YORK Acorn ARLC are looking for a volunteer to video matches for the club - so they have evidence if and when games erupt into brawls like last Saturday.

The Blue and Golds kicked off their National Conference League division one campaign with a wonderful 20-12 win over title favourites Featherstone Lions, giving them a big confidence boost for Saturday's trip to Skirlaugh (2.30pm).

But it all 'kicked off' in the second half, too, with Acorn having Matthew Woods, Josh Thompson and Reece Rushworth sent off along with two opponents following two separate all-in punch-ups. The Lions had earlier had two men sin-binned for dissent as well.

Woods saw red for allegedly starting a brawl with an illegal shoulder charge, Thompson has been charged with running in and punching, and Rushworth has been charged with kicking an opponent. The latter incident occurred in back play as Matty Downes streaked home for a wonderful solo try, which was ultimately disallowed.

Head coach Leigh Paul-Rientoul reckons video evidence would either clear or give strong mitigation for his men, and in this case also show that three of the Featherstone ranks ran off the bench to join in one of the brawls, transgressions which would merit eight-match bans had the officials seen them.

"We're looking for someone to video games," said Paul-Rientoul. "It's not only so coaches can watch the game back but also to catch things that officials might miss.

"Matty Downes broke away and, behind it, they're player punched Reece Rushworth as he ran past him. Reece then got choked out on the floor and couldn't breathe.

"The referee was following Matty's run and only saw Reece kicking out after all that, and penalised that. Reece has got no disciplinary record at all.

He added: "I also don't know how they can do only Josh for running in when every bloke on the field got involved.

"They also had three lads come on and throw punches."

Rushworth, Thompson and Woods will all be available for this Saturday's trip to Skirlaugh, with no dates yet set for their disciplinary hearings.

Paul-Rientoul could also have Jack Byrnes, Jordan Hyde, Daryl North, Callum Worthington and veteran Mike Embleton back in contention, while Tom Hill could pass fit too despite suffering a shoulder injury against the Lions.

He says the form the team showed last weekend, plus that competition for places, should see them travel to Humberside in good heart.

"That result laid a marker for us, with Featherstone being the title favourites," he said.

"I'm not condoning the fighting but I'm also happy my lads stuck up for themselves and each other and didn't back down. I don't promote throwing punches but what can you do when their lads are punching us?"

Acorn beat Skirlaugh 32-0 in pre-season but Paul-Rientoul warned: "They had a mixed side out and were probably trying a few things. I don't think it will be that scoreline again. We'll have to play well."

Meanwhile, New Earswick All Blacks and York Acorn 'A' will both try for a third time on Saturday to kick off their Yorkshire Men's League Forty-20 Cup campaigns after two weather-enforced postponements.

All Blacks go to Queensbury in group three while Acorn 'A' host Elland in group five.

Heworth, who opened with a hard-fought victory over Keighley Albion, entertain Wibsey in group four.

There are also group fixtures in the new Steeden North Yorkshire Invitational Cup on Saturday.

York Lokomotive go to Catterick Crusaders, Selby Warriors host New Earswick ‘A’, and Sherburn visit Scarborough Pirates.