YORK Acorn ARLC will have to escape their relegation peril without the “heart and soul of the team” – but boss Scott Rhodes remains confident they can climb the table.

The Blue and Golds begin 2011 with a trip to fellow National Conference premier division strugglers Bradford Dudley Hill on Saturday, should the game beat the wintry weather that has wiped out fixtures since November 20.

They will be without pack star Tom Hill for probably the rest of the season as the amateur international has gone travelling, but Rhodes is cheered by the return from injury of flier Johnny Waldron and he believes his side have what it takes to get out of the drop zone.

“I’m confident we’ve got the team to do so,” he said. “It’s my job to restore confidence and hopefully get the points.

“Every game is important now. We have 12 left and we’ve got to win the majority to stay in this league.”

As for Hill, he said: “It’s a big blow. He’s probably the heart and soul of our team and he works extremely hard but it’s one of those things.

“Johnny is back, though, which is a massive lift as he was probably our best player before his injury.”

Rhodes also hopes the long break will work in their favour.

“It could go either way but the players were training with enthusiasm this week, they looked refreshed and keen to get back playing,” he said.

“It’s a case now of carrying on with the good things we were doing before the break.”

Rhodes, meanwhile, was not too disappointed the Lee McTigue Memorial Match between the Knights and a York Select side featuring several Acorn players was called off over the festive period due to the weather.

That run-out could have blown off cobwebs but Rhodes said: “We’ve got some massive games coming up and back-to-back fixtures and I don’t think it would’ve helped us. They might have shook off rustiness but we could’ve picked up a few knocks and it could’ve worked against us.”

Heworth’s start to 2011 could not be much harder – but it is just one of those things, according to spokesman Ken Sykes.

The Villagers return after the long break – they too have not played since November 20 – with a rearranged division two match at Eastmoor Dragons, who lie second with only one league defeat.

They then go to fourth-placed Castleford Lock Lane for a BARLA National Cup tie, followed by a trip to premier division giants Leigh East in the Challenge Cup.

Heavy defeats could hit Heworth’s confidence as they look to climb the rankings but Sykes said they had to overcome that fear and see where 100 per cent effort takes them.

“It’s not the easiest start to the year, but it’s one of those things we have to get through.”

The break means player-coach Chris Smith (back) could be fit, while prop Adam Jobling and long-term casualty Marcus Allan are nearing returns.

Sykes added: “Training has also been affected but all clubs will be in the same boat. We had a few players carrying niggles which could be sorted out, though the problem now will be match fitness.”

Acorn ‘A’ go to Wakefield City in the Yorkshire League’s Gordon Teal White Rose Trophy, while Heworth ‘A’ visit Northallerton in the Alliance Cup. Both are preliminary round ties.