YORK Acorn ARLC have learnt that Saturday’s game at Bradford Dudley Hill will most probably be their last of the interim National Conference season – but coach Scott Rhodes is aiming to finish on a high to help them hit the ground running next year.

League chiefs had planned for all teams to go into a play-off programme after their group games ended, but yesterday told The Press that idea was now being scrapped, with only the top team in each of the eight pools going into straight knockout rounds to decide the overall champions.

Results last week – Acorn being edged out at West Hull and Dudley Hill pipping Hull Dockers – means Rhodes’ men can go level with their Bradford hosts by beating them this weekend but they need to overturn a points-difference deficit of 43.

Dudley Hill also have one game in hand, at Heworth, who are yet to win this term and would be rank outsiders to do their city neighbours a favour.

Nevertheless, this mini-season had been used to bridge the gap between the end of the last winter season and the start of the inaugural National Conference summer campaign in March, and, regardless of where they finish, Rhodes says it has been good for his club as they look to bounce back to the premier division proper next year.

“We’ve had the chance to bring some of last season’s under-18s through and introduce them to the rigours of open age rugby,” he said. “They’ve done a fantastic job and I’ve been happy with every one of them, and we’ll look to carry that on next year.”

Rhodes could have Mike Embleton and Matt Withers back fit, but Adam Endersby (leg) and Jimmy Mountford (shoulder) are out.

As for Saturday’s trip to Dudley Hill, he said: “They have good players and they’ve had some excellent wins and they’ll be full of confidence. It’s about going there and doing what we’ve been doing – trying to get a good performance.”

Heworth will hope to find that elusive win in their penultimate match as they go to Shaw Cross.

The Sharks won the reverse fixture by a point – Heworth missing a late conversion – but that is their only victory of the campaign and a Villagers victory by 28 points this time would even lift the York side off the foot of the group table.

In the Yorkshire Men’s League, Acorn ‘A’ host Stanley Rangers ‘A’ and Heworth ‘A’ go to Northallerton.

New Earswick are looking to right recent wrongs at home to King Cross Park in the Pennine League championship division. Both teams have lost their last two matches but All Blacks are two points higher.

All Blacks spokesman Phil Pallister said: “Taking positives from last week, when we built pressure on Dewsbury Moor’s strong defence, scoring opportunities arose and were taken, so we need to build on that.

“But our mindset at times was to try to score from every set which led to mistakes, turning over the ball cheaply, and we were made to pay. Our defence was also broken due to missed tackles. The players were disappointed and are keen to put things right.”

Coach Simon Baynes has one new reported injury worry with George Pallister (dead leg) joining long-term absentee Jack Stearman on the treatment table, but Dan Atkinson, Jack Law, Bri Wright and Ben Jones are back in the frame.

All Blacks ‘A’ go to leaders Stainland in division four. Coach Alan Pallister will give captain Ben Cooper (shoulder) a late fitness test, but forward Ben Fairburn has returned to training after illness.

Selby Warriors have been regrouping ahead of the visit of keen rivals Thornhill ‘A’ on Saturday.

The Warriors’ unbeaten start in division two ended last time out but they still top the table and, having had a week off, are looking to restrengthen their title claims against one of two clubs with a 100 per cent record. Selby ‘A’ host Farnley ‘A’ in division seven.