THE York Nines rugby league extravaganza is to be held again in 2003 following the success of the inaugural event this summer.

This time, the nine-a-side tournament will be held over two days, with participants likely to come from many countries.

The Evening Press reported immediately after the June event that delighted organisers were wanting to build on its success and make it an annual affair, and now it has been confirmed that it will indeed be expanded.

The 2002 event - officially called the York Golden Jubilee Rugby League Festival - was held on Bank Holiday Monday, June 3 and attracted a bumper crowd of about 2,000 to Heworth ARLC's Elm Park Way ground.

It saw 14 teams from all over the British Isles, including a York select squad, plus two top sides from France battle for the first-ever Fairfax Trophy, which was won by Summer Conference outfit London KooGas, who beat the York Ironsides in the last four and shocked French semi-professionals FC Lezignan-Corbieres in the final.

The festival also comprised the Marston Moor Cup, a competition for York and North Yorkshire primary schools, which also proved successful. Its group games were held during the run-up to the main event, while the semi-finals and final.

Updated: 10:50 Monday, October 14, 2002