New Earswick All Blacks will be confident of knocking another team of high-flyers down to earth when Hull Dockers visit White Rose Avenue on Saturday.

Last week the York side inflicted the first home defeat of Waterhead's short National Conference League life and a repeat performance would see them move alongside the second division promotion contenders.

It has been something of a mixed season for the All Blacks who have now won four and lost four but that 26-18 win in Oldham suggested they could be hitting form.

They will need to be at their best once again if they are to overturn Dockers. The Hull side have started the season well, winning six of their opening eight games including last week's top of the table clash with Crosfields.

New Earswick's cause will not be helped by the likely absence of Lee McTigue and Rob Lowson who are on representative duty. McTigue, a hat-trick hero last week, is in the Great Britain Under-23s side which takes on the Combined Services at York on Saturday night.

Ironically he could be up against his All Blacks team-mate Lowson who was called up for the Services squad on Tuesday.

In addition to long-term injury absentees Brad Atkinson and Paul Goldsmith, they are also missing Alex Davis through work commitments and Mick Harrison who is still out with a groin strain.

That gives Adie Robinson his first start of the season at scrum-half.

York Acorn are another side looking to build on a good result when they travel to Milford Marlins.

The Blue and Golds performed well in their 21-8 home defeat of Dewsbury Moor - their first win since the opening day of the season - and will fancy their chances in this basement battle.

Milford, relegated from the first division last season, boast the same win-loss record as Acorn but were boosted by a victory at Sheffield Hawks last week.

Acorn's young side are improving with each game and the addition of Alan Willitts and Phil Lawrence to last week's starting line-up shored up the defence, as did the introduction of tough tackling utility player Dave Norman.

Coaches Alan Hebblethwaite and Mick Calam, who hope to field a full-strength side, will be looking for another inspirational performance from last week's man of the match Lee Frank.

Dangerman for Milford will be prolific try-scorer Martin Luxford who has already touched down seven times in just eight starts.

Heworth took a 42-20 battering by Shaw Cross last week, their first home reverse of the season, and will need to improve if they are to open their away account at Featherstone Lions.

The Villagers had lost that game by the interval when they trailed 28-0 so they will be looking to show more steel and concentration in the opening stages against the Lions.

Victory for Featherstone would consolidate their place among the first division's front-runners while Heworth need to find some consistency if they are to maintain their own promotion aspirations.

After the disappointment of last week's match cancellation, York Groves are eager to get back into action and entertain Wakefield club Walton at Burdyke (2.30pm).

The Terriers urgently need to get some points on the board and will be confident of registering their first win against a side who have managed just one victory in Yorkshire League division five.

Coach Alan Mitchell chooses from a full squad.

Scarborough Sharks, who share bottom place with Groves, travel to Earlsheaton while in division two, high-flying Selby Warriors pay a visit to Prince of Wales.

Heworth 'A' play host to Eastmoor 'A' in division three, York Acorn 'A' entertain Shaw Cross in division four (2pm kick-off) and New Earswick 'A' are at West Leeds, also in division four.

Southlands are holding their annual reunion on Friday, November 19, at St Clements WMC. All former players, members and friends will be made welcome.

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