COACH Chris Judge has admitted his New Earswick All Blacks side have a game to savour as they begin 2007 in search of Pennine League premier division honours.

The All Blacks play Siddal A' on Saturday, a side rooted to the foot of the table with a points tally of minus-two, and Judge says it is a good encounter with which to return to league action for the first time since defeat to front-runners Sharlston Rovers on December 9.

Siddal have actually won a game this season - against the then leaders Drighlington - but had points docked for fielding ineligible players.

"We're looking forward to getting back to it, and stopping all this drinking," joked Judge, whose side are still in the title reckoning.

"It will be muddy and it's the first game after new year, but if there's one game we would have wanted to play straight after new year it would be this one.

"It will still be quite a tough period for us with three away games in a row but if we can come through it doing OK, it will be a bit of a springboard for us."

All Blacks blew off Christmas cobwebs last week with a York and District Cup semi-final win over York Acorn A', a game which saw the return to action of prop Eddie Keeping. He has recovered from his broken leg and dislocated ankle which he suffered, coincidentally enough, against Acorn A' back in April, and is in the reckoning to play again on Saturday.

Selby Warriors will also expect a good win as they visit bottom-of-the-table Silsden Park Rangers in division three, while Acorn A' entertain Bank Top Harriers.

York Groves travel to West Craven Warriors in division five knowing a win would go a long way towards achieving the goal of promotion.

The Warriors were the last team to beat Groves in the league, when a last-minute converted try decided the match 26-21, back in October. Groves have since gone on a winning run - barring last week's York cup defeat to Heworth A' - and the two sides now sit third and fourth, with only points-difference keeping the York outfit ahead.

The Terriers are awaiting news on versatile back Mark Arnold, who may have work commitments, and have a doubt over in-form centre Matt Withers (hand), but they welcome back hardworking prop Neil Gulliver and second-row Danny Battle.