INJURY-HIT Heworth limp into Saturday's Arriva Trains Conference match at Eastmoor Dragons knowing only a win will keep their heads above the re-election parapet.

Lee Clarke will again be missing for the away trip with his wife expecting a baby any minute, while full back Jamie Wright is still struggling with a shoulder injury and could also miss out.

Coach Brendan Carlyle, who is standing down at the end of the season, said: "We are still struggling with the lack of players with so many injuries but hopefully we can turn a decent side out on Saturday.

"We did beat them last year so hopefully we can do the same again because this is a must-win game for us."

Heworth 'A' are at home to Sharlston 'A' in division three of the CMS Yorkshire League.

York Groves are looking to consolidate their Pennine League Division Five standing with a win at Victoria Rangers 'A'.

And coach Simon Moat will be turning to the talents of in-form centre Paul Scott and full back Paul Watson to swing the result in Groves' favour.

He said: "We are hoping to put in a good performance so we can cement our place in the league and both Paul Scott and Paul Watson have been playing really well lately."

James Foster-Rain is on holiday but Groves will otherwise be at full strength with training efforts also being stepped up off the field in preparation for the forthcoming league cup match.

York Acorn's first team are without a fixture, with most of the club likely to be out in force the night before for a sportsman's dinner at the club, which features former Great Britain international Dean Sampson.

But the 'A' team will have to be on top form for their local derby against Selby Warriors with a win virtually guaranteeing the Pennine League division five title in their first season.

First team coach David Kay said: "They are trying to stick to the same players that have played throughout the season and have done so well as well as one or two others who have turned out in the last couple of weeks.

"A win would be wonderful for the club. Success at every level always does wonders for everyone and it would be even better coming from a local derby."

York 9s quarter-finalists last year, SO Avignon, are promising to arrive at this year's tournament focused on becoming the second French team to lift the Fairfax Cup.

The Provence club, on the lower reaches of France's famous Rhone valley, were dispatched from last year's tournament by eventual winners FC Lezignan Corbieres in the first round of the knock-out stages, but head coach Jeff Jouffret claims the York 9s is one of their top priorities for the 2004 season.

The club has already set aside a budget to transport the team to York for the June 26-27 event and Jouffret is identifying players to make the trip.

"We see the trip as being a reward for the deserving players of the first team who are serving us well this year," he said.

"The York 9s is also a good opportunity for the rookies like (17-year-old French international) Cyril Armani, together with Florian Bissire and William Demjian who all participated with great impact last year.

"We all really enjoyed the weekend last year, and it's very important for SOA XIII to have representation in the UK. When we return we do get a lot of recognition in the local media and from the Avignon council."

SO Avignon are in the running for the play-offs in France's National League One and Jouffret is confident they can advance to the latter stages.

"With the play-offs in sight, the next few months will be very busy, and with the York 9s taking place after the season has finished, it is good motivation for everyone here at the club," he added.

Updated: 11:00 Thursday, March 18, 2004