IF at first you don’t succeed, try again. That might be York Acorn ARLC’s mantra this weekend as they bid to host their Challenge Cup preliminary round tie against Skirlaugh at Thanet Road.

The clash fell foul of the weather last Saturday and present wintry conditions make it likely there could be a second postponement in two days’ time.

Should that be the case, the Rugby Football League is hoping the games can beat the frost and snow and be played on Sunday.

But with the weather forecast for the rest of this week far from promising, there is the real prospect the game may not be played for a second successive weekend – with the tie then having a bigger impact on the upcoming National Conference League premier division fixtures.

The league say they will have look at contingencies to avoid congestion but Alfie Hill, coach of the Blue and Golds, wants the game to go ahead to spare a possible fixture pile up.

“Every time you look at the forecast you think it is going to be difficult all through January,” he said. “It’s the same for everyone – it’s not as if there are teams getting games in.

“It’s just at a standstill, but we don’t want a backlog. Everyone is keen to get back. You just want to play rugby. Our pitch is hard underneath. If it’s soft, you can get everyone out with a shovel and get the game on. We have to leave the snow on the pitch until Saturday and then we will see what is like underneath.”

Should Hill’s wishes to play be granted, Acorn will still be without key players Leigh Rientoul, who is starting an eight-game ban, and Scott Rhodes, who has been handed a five-match suspension for their red cards during Acorn’s defeat at Hull Dockers – punishments Hill described as “harsh”.

New Earswick All Blacks will be keen to kick-start the New Year with the visit of Keighley Albion to White Rose Avenue in the Pennine League premier division.

All Blacks, who have won only one match so far this season, are confident that, with hard work and a continued commitment shown by the players, premier division status can be maintained.

Albion took the points when the sides met in September, but coach Simon Baynes knows his side have improved since that match.

The extended Christmas break has given players carrying knocks the chance to recover, but bad weather has meant the side has had only one training session.

All Blacks’ spokesman Phil Pallister said: “It’s going to be hard for the players to hit the ground running, but the team is focused on the massive task ahead and, having pulled off premier division survival last season from a similar position, they hope to do the same again.”

All Blacks ‘A’ are on the road again in a top of the table clash which may at the end of the season be the title decider at Woodhouse Warriors in Pennine League division five.

Woodhouse, who were last season promoted along side All Blacks ‘A’, are keen to reverse a 30-18 defeat when the sides last met.

With only Bobby Smith still recovering from a rib injury, coaches Carl Pallister and Dave Carling should have a full strength side to choose from and may also welcome back Mark Tipping.

Selby Warriors aren’t optimistic their matches will beat the weather. The first team are set to entertain Drighlington with the second team at Wetherby.

Postponement would mean further frustration for the Warriors’ players as they are keen to get on and continue the great season they have so far enjoyed.

Heworth, who have a bye into the first round of the Challenge Cup and will play Hunslet Warriors later in the month, have no game.