NEW Earswick All Blacks ARLC are refusing to set end-of-year targets for the new Pennine League season - other than continued improvement.

That's the message from player-coach Jack Stearman as he hopes the return of some old All Blacks big-guns plus a smattering of newcomers will help to lift them higher than last term's fifth-placed finish in the championship division.

All Blacks kick off away to promoted Bentley Good Companions on Saturday (2.30pm), welcoming former York City Knights forward Joe Hemmings back into the ranks, as well as York Acorn ARLC prop Nic Caldwell. Experienced prop Jo Jo Hnesh has returned to the club, too, though is unavailable this weekend.

Half a dozen newcomers to rugby league are also pressing for places after impressive pre-seasons, led by Joe Smith, Sam Cooper, Dan Thorpe and one-time Heworth junior Oliver Cook.

Stearman - who took the reins a year ago and will be assisted this year by club stalwart Dave Carling with Liam Gargan concentrating on playing - said: "When I first took over, the aim was to take the club forward and so if we're beating what we did in the previous season, that's our target.

"This Pennine League is a better standard than last year. it's improving every year, and there are lots of ex-pros coming into our division now.

"It will be a tough ask but as long as we're winning our home games and competing away like we did last season, we'll be happy.

"We're taking every game as it comes rather than focusing on the full season. We want to be better than last year but we can't expect it to come easy or take anything for granted."

As for the returning players, Stearman, like Hemmings a former Knights forward, said: "Having Joe back is a real boost. Nic Caldwell has got the rugby league bug back and wants to play winter rugby, and he will be a great addition. Jo Jo is back in as well, which is brilliant.

"Carl Barrow (veteran forward) has hung up his boots now and we've got a young squad who are two or three years off their peak, so so to have this extra experience and ability will be a huge boost.

"We've got some new lads to rugby league in as well who have done well in pre-season. It will take time for them to get used to it as this is a very good standard, but it's great for the sport and for our club that we can attract lads in their 20s who want to get into it.

"Having only one friendly - with three teams cancelling on us in the week before other games - hasn't helped, but, even, so, people are pushing for places, which is great. I'll be picking from a squad of 26 this weekend."

That one friendly was a 36-6 defeat to Thornhill in August. Thornhill are coached by former Knights boss James Ratcliffe and finished second in the premier division last term, with ex-Knights ace Danny Ratcliffe in the ranks.

Stearman is certain the Pennine League is now the foremost winter competition in rugby league, following the the National Conference League's switch to summer a few years ago.

Asked where he stood on the winter versus summer rugby debate, he said: "It depends on the club. I understand why they switched (to summer) but I know a few struggle to get consistent teams out week in week out because of other commitments during the summer, like holidays, family time and weddings.

"What else is there to do on when it's pouring down on a winter weekend than go on a field and get bashed with your mates?

"Winter is working for us, and this is the best winter league there is. We're in the second tier, so we know it will be tough.

"The standard in training has been good and the lads are raring to go."

Selby Warriors have dabbled with the Yorkshire Men's League summer season, in the development tier, but get back to their main competition on Saturday as they kick off their Pennine League.

Relegated last year - ending several years of upward mobility - they begin their division four campaign at home to Crofton Cougars.