Amateur Rugby League by Dianne Hillaby

York Acorn follow their professional neighbours to Hull this weekend when they wrap up their National Conference second division season at Dockers.

While York Wasps visit Hull KR tomorrow, Acorn will tread the same path on Saturday for a game which could determine their immediate future.

A point will guarantee the Blue and Golds Conference status next season but even if they lose, they will still avoid re-election should neighbours New Earswick All Blacks lose both their remaining two games or Dewsbury Moor fail to win one of their last three.

Despite last week's 30-20 defeat at London Skolars, Acorn took comfort from the performances of several of their talented Under-18s who have begun breaking into the first team. Players such as Jamie Towey, Shaun Gilmour, Richard Tinker and Michael Embleton all acquitted themselves well which bodes well for next season.

Acorn have a much changed side from that beaten 22-12 at home by Dockers in October. They could have a possible nine changes from the 17 on duty that day as they take on a side who are set for a mid-table finish.

Top performer for the York side in their previous meeting was full back Andy Dudman who is currently enjoying a good run of form, as is centre Gareth Lloyd.

Lloyd has notched 12 tries this season in the league and two in the cup, a feat which is even more remarkable as he had only scored one going into November. He is now third in the second division's try scoring charts and could improve further due to the expulsion of Ovenden from the league.

All records against them are to be scrapped which will have an affect on the final scoring list but Lloyd's record will remain the same as he failed to score against the Halifax-based side.

Acorn's re-election rivals All Blacks have no game this weekend while Dewsbury Moor are at home to Crosfields.

In the premier division, second from bottom Heworth resume their relegation battle with a trip to sixth-placed Walney Central. Their future is unlikely to be decided this weekend but their nearest rivals, Wigan St Patricks and Askam, could determine the destination of the Conference championship.

If leaders West Hull win at Askam and second placed Skirlaugh lose at rejuvenated St Pats then the title will go to West Hull. If the results are reversed then Skirlaugh will go one point ahead of Wests but will have played a game more.

The Villagers, without a game last weekend, will be looking for a repeat performance of their last outing which saw them battle to a 10-10 draw at Oldham St Anne's.

They were beaten 6-3 in the reverse fixture with Walney back in November and have won just two games since, against Thornhill and rock bottom Beverley East Hull.

Defeat on Saturday would not yet condemn them to the first division but would leave them with a mountain to climb with just two games remaining, at home to Saddleworth and West Hull.

York Groves travel to Wakefield to face top of the table Outwood in Yorkshire League division three.

The Terriers, one of the featured amateur sides in this week's Rugby Leaguer newspaper, have not had the best results over the last few games and player coach Alan Mitchell will be hoping to raise his squad's performance.

North Yorkshire's two other Yorkshire League sides both take on Leeds opposition. Third division basement club Scarborough entertain Leeds Social, and second division Selby Warriors are at North Leeds.

Acorn 'A' tackle New Earswick 'A' in the final of the Accident Cup on Saturday at Thanet Road (2pm). Admission is £2 but free for juniors and senior citizens.

Acorn Under-9s made it 16 wins in succession when they beat a tough Batley Boys side 42-26 in a curtain raiser to York Wasps' clash with Batley Bulldogs at Huntington Stadium.

In a thrilling and entertaining encounter, Acorn had to overcome a slow start and were playing catch-up in the early stages, but strong running from David Leeke, Paul Gross and Mark Sanderson helped them build up a 24-16 half-time lead.

Eddie Beddingham scored a hat-trick of tries in the second half, but the star of the show was man of the match Matthew Fairclough who ran the visitors ragged and scored two tries. He was well supported by Nathaniel Vollans, Carl Gibson and try scorers Ross Varley and Steve Doswell.

David Leeke and Jason Blackburn were the other try scorers with the goals being shared out by Beddingham, Fairclough, Varley, Doswell and Gibson.

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