Crunch game for Selby Warriors at big new rivals Thornhill (From York Press)

Crunch game for Selby Warriors at big new rivals Thornhill

11:14am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Rugby Union

PROMOTION-SEEKING Selby Warriors face a crunch game in Pennine League division two on Saturday against a club who have become bitter rivals.

The Warriors go to Thornhill Trojans (2.30pm), the former National Conference League outfit who are coached by former York City Knights boss James Ratcliffe and have won all of their league games to date.

Thornhill romped to a 52-0 win in a feisty reverse fixture but the third-placed Warriors have rediscovered form since.

Selby Warriors ‘A’ will look to get their promotion push back on track in division seven following their 32-10 defeat to leaders Thornhill ‘A’, who, like their first team, are unbeaten.

That day saw Selby tries come from full-back Jordy Drummond and, with an intercept, Dan Wagstaff, while they had another touchdown at a crucial time ruled out. Both sides had a man sent off.

Warriors ‘A’ host Dewsbury Moor ‘A’ this Saturday (2.30pm).

New Earswick All Blacks return to Championship action with a trip to King Cross Park (2.30pm).

The reverse fixture, a 36-16 win, saw one of All Blacks’ best performances of the season.

Club spokesman Phil Pallister said: “It’s important we keep focused and keep the pressure on clubs around us. Promotion is still mathematically possible but so is finishing out of the top four so we still have all to play for. To take two points here will give us confidence for the run-in.”

Centre Adam Kirby and Dec Malarkey have returned to training and Leon Davison is also available again, but centre Chris Spain is unavailable and Shaun Malarkey faces a late fitness test.

New Earswick ‘A’ face a battle to fulfil their remaining fixtures in division four due to injuries and players being unavailable.

Having struggled to turn out a side for last weekend’s Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy thrashing by Sharlston ‘A’, they are due to host Stainland Stags this Saturday (2.30pm).

Pallister said: “We will work hard to ensure we can play our remaining fixtures. It’s difficult. Players who would have at one time played with slight knocks are now not taking any chances and are quite rightly putting work first. It will be tough going but as a club it would be a sad day if we were unable to achieve this.”

Darryl Fogg, player-coach Alan Pallister and skipper Ben Cooper return, but Andy Fletcher has joined the unavailable list.