York Acorn on alert for fixtures pile-up (From York Press)

York Acorn ARLC on alert for fixtures pile-up

10:17am Thursday 9th February 2012 in Rugby League By Peter Martini, peter.martini@thepress.co.uk

SCOTT RHODES has hailed the efforts of his York Acorn ARLC players over pre-season – but is wary of the threat his transitional side face upon getting back to action.

Acorn’s preparations for the inaugural summer National Conference League season, which starts next month, are being punctured by the Challenge Cup early rounds, starting with the preliminary round tie at home to Hull & District League representatives Norland Sharks.

The match was postponed last weekend due to the wintry weather and put back to this Saturday (1.30pm), with the winners set to go to National Conference outfit Shaw Cross in round one next week.

As reported by The Press, Norland will come in good heart, sitting atop their league, which still plays a winter season, and eager to topple a NCL outfit. Rhodes likewise is delighted with his team, but – aware they may be ring rusty, and are now without three stalwarts in Jonny Liddell, Darren Callaghan and Kyle Palmer – he has warned they cannot underestimate their opening opposition of 2012, despite the fact the Sharks play below them in the amateur rugby league pyramid.

“It’s been a short pre-season – we’re only about five weeks into it - and we didn’t expect the Challenge Cup to get put in there like it was,” said head coach Rhodes, who is being assisted by fellow former York player Lea Tichener and Terry Parker.

“But we’ve been really pleased with how the lads have done and with the numbers we’ve been getting down.

“We’ve had 30-plus training every week, which is the best it’s been since I’ve been involved in Acorn. I’ve even had them in on Saturday mornings, which is tough for amateur lads, and they’ve turned up.

“It will be tough over the next couple of years with the lads that have now dropped out like Daz, Jonny, Kyle and myself. There’s going to be a bit of rebuilding, but it’s going well.”

As for Saturday’s tie – which again is in danger of falling to the weather – he said: “We know it will be tough.

“I don’t know much about Norland but I’ve heard they’re pretty good. Any team from Hull will be competitive, tough and durable.

“We have to expect a tough game. It’s a contact sport and there will be shots going in. We have to expect a really hard, physical game.

“The fact they’ve been playing over the winter gives them an advantage and the heavy going might suit them, but we’ve also got a big side and I think we will mix it okay. We’re looking good and I’m confident.”