HEWORTH ARLC are one game away from securing the Yorkshire Men’s League division one title – and will be boosted by Liam Jackson’s permanent return.

The 25-year-old half-back has played on and off for the Villagers this season on dual-reg from York City Knights, but, having now been released by pro club, he is back as a regular at Elmpark Way.

He is a likely starter for the Villagers' trip to second-bottom Skirlaugh Bulls on Saturday (2.30pm) where a win would see them wrap up the championship.

For head coach Scott Rhodes, it would be a deserved triumph for the young side that has performed consistently well throughout the year, dropping only three points from their 16 games so far.

But he is not putting any extra significance on the match itself.

He said: “We’re excited about every game. Every game we’ve played this year is special for the players. I wouldn’t say this game is extra-special for me, though.

“I’ve come across Skirlaugh a lot. They’ll be a tough side. It’s a small pitch and they box you in.

“But we’re capable of winning the game and we’re capable of winning the league. We’ve been the most consistent team throughout the year, and if you do that, you deservedly win the league.

“Our points difference is 200 points better than any other team. It’s obvious we’ve played the best rugby.

“But, worst-case scenario, we get beat and we have to go to Acorn 'A', to a local derby, and win there.

“The players have delivered all year for me. We currently have about six players out, but we have had all year. I can’t think of a time where I’ve thought, ‘We’re 100 per cent here’.

“We’re always carrying knocks and we switch players all the time. We’ve never had a stable team all year, but they pull out results, and when they win, they win well.

“And credit to the players. It’s been a good season.

“We haven’t changed a lot with our game plan and we’ve always gone out and done our best. We’ve got a lot of quality players who could be playing higher-level rugby, but they’re with us.

“Liam Jackson has been a very good player for me, he’s got a good attitude in training and a good attitude when he plays for us.”

Heworth are waiting on the availability of dual-reg Newcastle Thunder players Liam Richmond and Ben Dent. Joe Deighton and Adam Speck are away but former York Lokos ace Tom Dunmore, Josh Hughes and Fergus Chapman come in.

Sixth-placed Acorn 'A' travel to basement side Keighley Albion, while premier division strugglers New Earswick All Blacks - doomed to relegation - will hope to add to their wins tally with a home game against Bramley Buffaloes.

Up in the National Conference League division one, York Acorn continue their increasingly difficult hunt for a play-off spot when they travel to Shaw Cross Sharks.

Last Wednesday's York & District ARL Cup final between Acorn and Heworth was called off because of Heworth's busy playing schedule.