York Acorn ARLC’s victory focus (From York Press)

York Acorn ARLC’s victory focus

11:14am Thursday 18th October 2012 in Rugby League

WIN and forget about any other results.

That’s the deal for York Acorn ARLC this weekend as the glory race in National Conference division one comes down to the wire.

The Blue and Golds go to Millom knowing that, following Bradford Dudley Hill’s surprise defeat to Rochdale Mayfield last week, victory will guarantee an immediate return to amateur rugby league’s elite tier with a game to go.

Defeat, though, leaves the door open for major disappointment, with five teams still in contention for the top three spots.

Boss Scott Rhodes said: “Results elsewhere don’t matter. If we win this week, we’re up. If we win next week as well, we’re champions. There are two games left and we know what’s at stake.”

The promotion picture is complicated, with table-toppers Castleford Lock Lane now sure of going up after finishing their fixtures, but with second-placed Acorn and fifth-placed Egremont both able to take the title off them if they win their games in hand. Dudley Hill and Hunslet Warriors can still get into the top three, too.

Defeat this Saturday for Acorn – who have the worst points-difference of all five – means it all comes down to next week’s visit of fellow Cumbrians Egremont. Victory for both Acorn and Egrement this Saturday means next week’s clash could be a title decider.

Martin McTigue and Jordan Hyde are set to return after missing Acorn’s big win at Castleford Panthers last week. Rhodes added: “It’s about going there and doing whatever it takes to get the win. We’re more than capable of it.”

York Acorn junior Lewis Lord was in the Yorkshire Under-17s side were pipped 19-18 by Lancashire in the BARLA Tri-County Series. The White Rose meet Cumbria at Sharlston Rovers’ ground on Sunday.