HEWORTH ARLC coach Scott Rhodes believes his side have “a serious chance” of winning division one of the Yorkshire Men’s League.

The former York City Knights captain reckons everything is falling into place for the Villagers, who are three points clear at the summit, and have a good opportunity to add to that tally with upcoming fixtures against struggling teams.

On Saturday, Heworth travel to basement side Keighley Albion looking to build on last week’s devastating display of attacking rugby which saw them dispatch title rivals Queensbury 46-12 at Elmpark Way.

Rhodes said: “It (Queensbury) was a pretty polished performance. Defensively we were pretty strong and it was probably our best attacking display this year.

“They were a tough side and they’ve got good players but they couldn’t handle our pace. At this time of the year, we’re really quite organised.

“We have a got a serious chance (of winning the title). We’re three points clear, so it’s all there for us.

“We go to Keighley on Saturday and have Hull Wyke at home the week after – two teams struggling in the league – so I’d say we have a very good chance.

“We’ve gone through a lot of players this year. When we played at Hunslet Parkside (last) midweek, we couldn’t get our best side out, but we can at the weekends and when we do, no teams can run with us.

“I think we’ve played like that all year, but we have had a lot of changes in the half-backs. Now we have everyone available and it’s all clicking, it’s all coming together.”

Keighley are rock bottom having won just two games this term. Their last three outings have seen them ship 108 points, most recently going down 48-14 at home to Allerton Bywater. Heworth thrashed them 78-12 in their last meeting, full-back Fraser West notching five tries.

However, Rhodes has emphasised his troops must not become complacent, and even strive to give a better account of themselves than they did last week.

“No team wants to lose,” he said. “We still have to go with the right attitude and perform well.

“We’re confident of beating any team, but I'd say it’s down to attitude for us now. We can’t go there and think they’re bottom of the league and we’ll just roll over them.

“We can get better – I’m always looking to step up, to go more, harder and further.

“We can be better in defence, knock that 12 points off (that Queensbury scored), and maybe better in attack – I’d like to put 50 or 60 onto teams."

Fellow division one outfit York Acorn ‘A’ were at Cutsyke Raiders last night and have no fixture over the weekend. Premier division strugglers New Earswick All Blacks follow last night's trip to Siddal Academy with a tough home game against Batley Boys on Saturday.

Acorn's first team have a weekend off in National Conference League division one.