New Earswick ARLC must win on Saturday and then keep their fingers crossed over the coming weeks to see what destiny awaits them.

The All Blacks finish their Pennine League premier division campaign away to Crigglestone, while all the other teams have at least two more games to go.

They go into it just one point above the drop zone after last week’s defeat to relegation rivals St Joseph’s, and Halifax Irish could leapfrog them if they beat bottom club Keighley Albion.

That all means two points are crucial on Saturday, and while they will be boosted by the returns of Liam Gargan and Steve Gardner, they could also do with old head Alan Pallister and young gun Ben Jones both passing fitness tests.

Second-placed New Earswick ‘A’ host third-placed Stainland Stags in division five.

Selby Warriors go into Saturday’s York & District Cup semi-final at home to York Acorn ‘A’ (2pm) with enhanced hopes of an unprecedented trophy treble.

Warriors now lie second in Pennine League division four but have five games in hand on leaders Sheffield Hawks, and last week they stormed into the semi-finals of the Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy with a 12-10 win over division three high-fliers Littleborough – Matthew Irving’s late winner setting up a clash with second division side Dodworth on April 3.

The quarter-final was an intense affair but Selby’s pack overcame Littleborough’s bigger pack to tip the balance their way, and they just had the edge in the backs.

This, and the development of some youngsters, such as 16-year-old full-back Ben Harris, who excelled, suggests they could go well next season.

The only clean break saw centre Gavin Lightowler intercept and race home from half-way, Paul Berriman goaling. Lightowler then booted a penalty for a high tackle as Selby mounted pressure.

Littlebrough, aided by a couple of free-kicks, crossed before half-time and, despite some superb runs from Selby substitute David Makin, they soaked up pressure and scored a converted try from a huge up-and-under to go 10-8 up with eight minutes left.

It came down to the last two minutes, when the ball was worked left where great handling by brothers Ben and Scott Pearson saw Irving dive into the corner.

Selby Warriors ‘A’ host Underbank ‘A’ in a basement battle to complete a commendable debut season in division seven. They lost 30-6 at Odsal Sedergh ‘A’ last week, having gone ahead with a try from improving hooker James Hanson goaled by Nick Weaver.