After some narrow defeats in a run of five straight losses, including last weekend's 16-9 home defeat by unbeaten National Conference division two leaders Eastmoor, York Acorn travel to West Bowling hoping for a change of luck.

The Bradford-based Conference new-boys have made a steady start in winning three of their opening six games, including last week's 18-8 victory at Sheffield Hawks, and five of the games have been away.

West Bowling's solitary home match so far ended in defeat by Normanton - who Acorn pushed very close recently.

Acorn have no injury worries and will probably name the same 17 players as last week when they gave a debut to 19-year-old former Gateshead prop Paul Dodsworth, who impressed, and he will surely benefit the side as his match fitness improves.

Also in division two New Earswick All Blacks look to build on last week's 18-6 win at Castleford Panthers at home to fourth placed Keighley Albion.

After losing their opening match of the season, Albion had notched four wins on the run before they were edged out 15-12 by Crosfields last weekend.

In division one, Heworth have an excellent chance tomorrow night to get back on the winning trail when they entertain rock bottom Rochdale Mayfield who have lost all their six league matches so far this season (7.30).

But it may not be that easy for the mid-table Villagers to register their fourth win. While Heworth were running out of steam last weekend as Siddal came from 15-12 down with 15 minutes to go to win 26-15, Mayfield looked on course to end their losing streak at home to Shaw Cross Sharks. Mayfield eventually went down 18-10, but they held the upper hand until the hour mark.

York Groves, who are still searching for their first win in Yorkshire League division five after going down 20-8 at home to Ryhill on Saturday, have no match this weekend.

Groves are searching for people who may be able to help with the running and administration of the club. The Terriers need the volunteers to fill the roles of fixtures secretary and physio, and anyone interested can contact Ian Colley on York 652344.

York Acorn 'A' and New Earswick All Blacks 'A' meet at Thanet Road (2pm) in the Yorkshire League fourth division.

All Blacks lost narrowly at home to Humberside premier outfit East Mount in the Yorkshire Cup second round last week, and Acorn meet the same opposition at home in the third round on October 16.

Young Kyle Lowson carved himself a niche in New Earswick All Blacks' history by scoring the club's under-7s first try in their first ever match.

The All-Blacks' diminutive dynamos put up a spirited performance against a bigger West Leeds side but despite Lowson's touchdown and promising performances from Sean Malarkey and Frankie Loftus were beaten 36-4.

All Blacks U8s went on a scoring spree as they ran in 13 tries against their counterparts from West Leeds to win 56-12.

Oliver Hurst and Joe Lancaster scored four tries each while Dan Perkins and Carl Furnandez both bagged a brace.

Adam Liddell, cousin of Leeds Academy player Johnny Liddell, scored a try on his debut.

All Blacks U10s' unbeaten run came to an end when they went down 12-4 against Castleford-based Smawthorne.

Lee Rollinson put the York side 4-0 ahead at the break but two tries in the second-half saw Smawthorne clinch vicotry.

Elliot Bridge, Jack Wren and Matty Maywood were outstanding for New Earswick.

All Blacks U12s turned in their best performance of the season to beat Oulton 26-0.

Tries came from Jack Hunt (2), Ross Divorty (2), and Tom Hodgson, with Liam Gargan and player-of-the-match Divorty kicking two goals each.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.