YORK Acorn have the chance to set a new club record and end a horrible jinx this weekend as they entertain Normanton Knights in the National Conference League division two.

Victory will see the leaders make it an unprecedented six straight wins in an excellent unbeaten start to their campaign. It will also see Acorn finally remove the Indian sign held over them by their Wakefield-based foes.

The York club have yet to taste victory over the Knights but current form would suggest this is probably their best chance.

Table-topping Acorn boast a 100 per cent league record while the visitors have lost three of their five games.

However, club spokesman Paul Lumby was being cautious about the prospects of a sixth successive win.

He said: "No-one is underestimating the Knights because they are always a tough nut to crack, especially when they are up against it."

Team selection this week could be intensified by the possible returns of powerhouse Lee McTigue and utility forward Stephen Waldron, who both missed last week's away win at Keighley Albion due to work commitments.

Teenage forward Nicky Caldwell faces a late fitness test on his ankle, but even if passed fit is more likely to feature in the Acorn 'A' team, who travel to Normanton 'A' looking to return to winning ways in the Yorkshire League third division.

Heworth face one of their toughest tests of the season so far as they look to maintain their own 100 per cent start to the NCL division two campaign and keep the pressure on their cross-city rivals.

The Villagers visit Milford Marlins, who have won four of their five games and are expected to sustain a prolonged title challenge.

Heworth 'A' also have a tough task against their Milford counterparts, with the visitors to Elm Park Way currently topping the Yorkshire League division four.

In the senior division of the Yorkshire League, New Earswick All Blacks are hoping to turn the corner following three opening defeats, plus a cup loss to third division Selby Warriors.

They entertain Hull-based Myton Warriors, who themselves have won only once so far this campaign.

All Blacks' spokesman Charles Rollinson said: "We see this game as a chance to turn the corner and get a morale-boosting win.

"We are confident of doing just that."

The All Blacks, who were off duty last weekend as many of their players were at a wedding, tackle the task without Paul Booth (leg injury), while fellow prop Jamie Daniel (hamstring) is a doubt.

Simon Baynes returns at hooker, while wingers Scott Raven and Sean Bewley both come into the reckoning.

Updated: 12:01 Thursday, September 27, 2001