LEIGH PAUL-RIENTOUL is planning notable changes at York Acorn ARLC next season as the team bid to bounce back up to the elite tier of amateur rugby league.

Paul-Rientoul took over as boss from Scott Rhodes in mid-season but could not stop the slide from the National Conference League premier division, the Blue and Golds ending cast adrift at the foot of the table.

Both Paul-Rientoul and Rhodes reckoned promotion 12 months earlier had come too soon, the young team having finished fifth in division one before embarking on a stunning play-off success.

But the head coach is targeting a top-two placing next time - and believes instilling a more professional outlook will help them do that, and then consolidate.

"When I took over I never promised anything about how we'd do or said I would keep the team up," said Paul-Rientoul.

"The systems were in place and for me it was a case of get on with it and see how we went.

"I didn't think it was right to change things too much as soon as I took over, but I've spoken to a lot of people regarding how we're going to do things a bit differently next year.

"We've been in the premier division three times now and for some reason we can't stay in there. We need to change a couple of things and I think we need that little professional stamp put on things.

"To go up and stay up we have to change our mindset a bit I think.

"We'll have things like strength and conditioning coaching, nutritional advice and little things like that which can help improve our players and improve our performances."

He added: "I've said before about how we got promoted last year - I don't really think if you're a mid-table team you deserve to go up. It should be top two only.

"We finished fifth in a league of 12 last year - we were mid-table getting promoted. Having said that we won the play-offs in great style.

"But I don't feel we were ready. It's a young side and I think it would have done them the world of good to stay down in division one another year and try to build on that.

"Hopefully we've learned a lot from this year and the lads will stick together and try to improve on fifth in division one and come in the top two.

"That (promotion) is the aim most definitely."

Sherburn Bears host struggling Halton Moor Storm in the Pennine League third division on Saturday looking to climb the early table.

Selby Warriors seek their first victory in division four away to another winless team, Wyke 'A'.