2024 saw the return of the cross-city derby in the NCL’s top-flight, with the sides winning one match apiece. However, their respective campaigns took contrasting paths, Acorn sealing their place in the play-offs on the final day of the season whilst Heworth suffered relegation to Division One.
Acorn, who also enjoyed a history-making run to the fifth round of the Betfred Challenge Cup, were though without a number of key players and bowed out of the end-of-season series with a hefty 52-6 defeat against third-placed Rochdale Mayfield.
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They will undoubtedly be hoping for a similarly strong 2025, kicking off their season at home to Thatto Heath Crusaders, who they will also play in their final league match on September 6.
Newly promoted Waterhead Warriors, beaten Grand Finalists Siddal, Wath Brow Hornets and Rochdale Mayfield are then all visitors to Thanet Road in four consecutive home games through March and April.
And home form will again come into play in June and July, with West Bowling, Lock Lane, newcomers Dewsbury Moor Maroons and Leigh Miners Rangers all visiting the city.
Heworth return to life in Division One with what on paper seems a stern test at home to Oulton Raiders in round one.
They then head on the road to Ince Rose Bridge and Crosfields before returning to Elmpark Way against Egremont Rangers in early April.
The Villagers will take on newly promoted sides Wigan St Judes and Oldham St Annes in April and May, with the reverse fixtures in July and August.
Scott Rhodes’ side close out the season at home to Woolston on September 20.
YORK ACORN’S 2025 PREMIER DIVISION FIXTURES:
- March 8 – Thatto Heath Crusaders (H)
- March 15 – West Hull (A)
- March 22 – Waterhead Warriors (H)
- March 29 – Siddal (H)
- April 5 – Wath Brow Hornets (H)
- April 12 – Rochdale Mayfield (H)
- April 26 – Dewsbury Moor Maroons (A)
- May 3 – Waterhead Warriors (A)
- May 8 – Lock Lane (A, 7:30pm KO)
- May 17 – Leigh Miners Rangers (A)
- May 31 – Hunslet ARLFC (H)
- June 14 – Wath Brow Hornets (A)
- June 21 – Rochdale Mayfield (A)
- June 28 – West Bowling (H)
- July 5 – Lock Lane (H)
- July 19 – Dewsbury Moor Maroons (H)
- July 26 – Leigh Miners Rangers (H)
- August 2 – Hunslet ARLFC (A)
- August 9 – Siddal (A)
- August 16 – Waterhead Warriors (A)
- August 30 – West Hull (H)
- September 6 – Thatto Heath Crusaders (A)
HEWORTH’S 2025 DIVISION ONE FIXTURES:
- March 15 – Oulton Raiders (H)
- March 22 – Ince Rose Bridge (A)
- March 29 – Crosfields (A)
- April 5 – Egremont Rangers (H)
- April 12 – Stanningley (A)
- April 26 – Oldham St Annes (H)
- May 10 – Woolston (A)
- May 17 – Wigan St Patricks (A)
- May 31 – Shaw Cross (H)
- June 14 – Kells (A)
- June 21 – Wigan St Judes (H)
- June 28 – Egremont Rangers (A)
- July 5 – Stanningley (H)
- July 19 – Wigan St Patricks (H)
- July 26 – Oulton Raiders (A)
- August 2 – Ince Rose Bridge (H)
- August 9 – Kells (H)
- August 16 – Oldham St Annes (A)
- August 30 – Crosfields (H)
- September 6 – Shaw Cross (A)
- September 13 – Wigan St Judes (A)
- September 20 – Woolston (H)
