Heworth ARLC battle on in search of elusive victory (From York Press)

Heworth ARLC battle on in search of elusive victory

11:30am Thursday 19th April 2012 in Rugby League By Peter Martini, peter.martini@thepress.co.uk

Heworth ARLC are not throwing in the towel and hope securing that elusive first win in 17 months could kick-start their season.

That was the view of club spokesman Ken Sykes, who reckons finding a settled team – the Villagers have already used 30 players in five games in National Conference division two – could help to create a platform on which to build better form.

They gave their best display of term last Saturday when being edged out 24-14 at Normanton Knights and hope to build on that for this Saturday’s visit of third-placed Ovenden – who beat them 46-6 on the second weekend of this summer season.

However, not since November 2010 have the Black and Whites won a game, a period spanning the rest of the 2010-11 season, when they finished bottom of the pile, plus all of the autumn’s interim season and the first five games of this inaugural 2012 summer season.

Sykes said: “We did a lot better last week. We got off to another poor start and were 14-0 down in 12 minutes but after that were competing on an equal basis. It was 20-0 at half-time but we got it back to 20-14 and we had a try disallowed – which was one of the touch judge’s only contribution all day. Had we scored that, then who knows.

“We’re hoping we can piggy-back on that performance and do better this week.

“Ovenden are a decent team, but we’re not down and out. Obviously, because we haven’t managed to secure that win yet, we’re lacking on confidence, but I think we can get it, and that will boost us a bit.

“We need to try to get some consistency and a more settled team, but either way we will keep going.”

York Acorn, conversely, are riding the crest of a wave at the top of division two and on Saturday they host mid-table Eccles looking to make it six wins from six in the league.

However, boss Scott Rhodes has warned his men some attitudes must improve if they are to continue their great 2012 form.

Moreover, they could be without a trio of pivotal players – captain Tom Hill, hooker Kev Brayshaw and half-back Tim Elliott – this weekend due to illness.

In fact, nine players missed training on Tuesday due to illness, injury or work, although the prolific Johnny Waldron should be okay following his return in last week’s 18-16 win at Mayfield.

Rhodes said: “A couple of players’ attitudes need to change in terms of preparation, taking teams lightly a bit, and towards training.

“It’s got to be better if we’re going to go on and win this league.”

As for the absences, he added: “It’s a blow but we’ve got a good second team and good players who can come in. We’ll have to changes things around a bit and we’re hoping for improvement as well after last week when the performance was not great and we were lucky to win the game.”

Meanwhile, Acorn have decided to sit out the inaugural Conference Challenge Cup, which is open to teams in Tier Three of the Rugby Football League’s pyramid structure.

Teams in the National Conference League provide all 35 entrants, including Heworth – the last winners of the old Conference Challenge Cup in 1993/94 before the competition was abandoned. They travel to division one strugglers Oldham St Anne’s in the first round next month.

• Selby Warriors are assured of third place in Pennine League division two.

Selby finished with 20 points, including a deduction for failing to fulfil the fixture at champions elect Thornhill Trojans, and cannot now be caught after Sharlston ‘A’, in fourth, ended their campaign with a 14-10 defeat to Thornhill. Brighouse are second.

Selby Warriors ‘A’ are assured of runners-up spot and promotion from division seven. They finish their campaign at champions Thornhill ‘A’ on Saturday.

• DETAILS of last night’s York and District Cup tie between York Lokomotive and Selby Warriors will be on thepress.co.uk.