All Blacks’ call to arms as injuries leave them scrambling for a side (From York Press)

All Blacks’ call to arms as injuries leave them scrambling for a side

11:20am Thursday 26th January 2012 in Rugby League

NEW Earswick ALRC are calling on all registered and eligible players to make themselves available for the reserves on Saturday otherwise they might have to concede a cup tie and face a rap from Pennine League chiefs.

All Blacks ‘A’ go to Sharlston ‘A’ in round two of the Pennine League’s Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy, but injuries, illness and work commitments, plus the fact first-teamers are cup-tied, is bringing continued cause for concern.

The first team have no game this week in the championship division, and the break provides them some relief allowing players more recovery time.

But the ‘A’ team have no such respite. It will be a tough tie for a division four outfit away to the division two side, but failure to fulfil this match could have worse ramifications, leading to the team having their fixtures suspended and the club being called before Pennine League management before games are resumed.

“We are going through a difficult time and it will take a big effort to have a full team out on Saturday,” said club spokesman Phil Pallister.

“I urge all players who are signed on and available and who are not cup-tied to attend training (tonight) or to contact coach Alan Pallister or Simon Baynes to let them know they can play.

“We thought we had turned a corner and results for the ‘A’ team have inproved, and if we can get the match on we know we should have a number of players back next week.”

Division two promotion-seekers Selby Warriors have no game, but the Webster’s Timber Foxhill Lane Sports Ground will see a top-of-the-table division seven clash between their ‘A’ team and unbeaten leaders Thornhill ‘A’ (2pm).

Selby ‘A’ made it eight wins in nine with a 34-6 victory at a tough Rodley Rockets last week in a game played in a gale-force wind and on a sloping pitch.

Selby used the elements in the first half and scored 24 unanswered points through tries by ever-improving Dane Skelton, set up by Paul Berriman, veteran forward Andy Rowe, Dan Wagstaff and Bobby Parish.

They weathered the storm after the break and an interception try from Aiden Makey killed the game before Wagstaff scored his second.