Heworth will look to strengthen the squad for next season in a renewed bid to get out of National Conference League division two.

The Villagers will finish third this term, one spot off promotion, no matter what happens in their final game of the campaign at home to Rochdale Mayfield on Saturday.

And although player-coach Brendan Carlyle said the club had to be happy with their efforts this year, he said missing out on promotion had hurt.

"The major disappointment obviously is not getting promoted but it's been a strong season for us," he said.

"If we win on Saturday we will finish with 34 points, which would have been enough to go up last year. Hopefully we can strengthen for next season to go one step further."

Carlyle admitted the run-in had gone flat after league chiefs decided only two teams would be promoted, effectively denying Heworth the chance of going up, but said they were keen to finish on a high.

"We've had two defeats so we want to put that right and end the campaign well," he said.

"It was Mayfield who ended our eight-game winning run at the start of the season, and that was a big shock because they were at the bottom, so we want to put that right as well."

Winger Mark Watkinson is likely to join the squad after impressing in the 'A' team, while Steve Barnard returns from Yorkshire action and Nikki Wilson might be available after a knee injury.

York Acorn have no game this weekend and, having not been in action last week either, have to wait again to play their last match of the NCL season.

An entertaining match is in store at White Rose Avenue where New Earswick All Blacks entertain Hunslet Old Boys in Yorkshire League division one.

The clash will be a dress rehearsal of the Gordon Teale White Rose Trophy final, which takes place later this month, so both teams will want to gain a psychological edge.

All Blacks lie fifth in the table but with games in hand on the teams around them and are confident of finishing at least third. Hunslet, the only side in the division to be unbeaten, lie second with games in hand on leaders Batley Boys.

All Blacks spokesman Simon Malarkey said: "We lost at their place but it was close so this one should be a good game."

Brothers Steve and Tom Perks are injured, while Peter Nowell is unavailable, but returning to the squad are Andy Fletcher, Carl Pallister, John Leach, second-row Jamie Rhodes - brother of York City Knights scrum-half Scott - and former York Wasps star Dean Thomas, who is now conditioner to Sheffield Eagles.

Meanwhile, the White Rose Trophy final might have to change time or place as South Leeds Stadium, the proposed venue, looks set to be unavailable on the scheduled date, Bank Holiday Monday, April 21.

Selby Warriors return to action after two weeks' inactivity as they entertain local rivals Sherburn in YL division two. The reverse fixture, in February, was abandoned after 25 minutes after both sides refused to take heed of the referee's warnings to calm things down, while the crowd also began to encroach on the field of play.

York Groves, beaten 32-0 at Littleborough last week, will hope to show the form of the previous week's 46-6 win over Wyke as they visit Dearne Valley Bulldogs in Pennine League division four.

York Acorn 'A' have no game, while Heworth 'A' visit Stanley Rangers 'A' in YL division three.

Updated: 09:20 Thursday, April 03, 2003