CUP holders Acorn could pull out of this year's Rhodes Haulage Interworks rugby league tournament because of a change in the rules.

The competition has been switched from a 13-a-side to an 11-a-side event in a bid to attract more entries.

But Steve Bromwich, coach of Acorn, claims the majority of his squad do not want to play the new modified version of the game.

He said: "I'm very disappointed with the Interworks. I'm finding it very difficult to keep my players, of which there are 22 signed up. The lads want to pull out but I'm trying to keep them in it and we are still training.

"We would be delighted to defend the trophy, but that's not what we would be doing. We didn't win an 11-a-side trophy, we won a 13-a-side trophy. We would not be defending like-for-like.

"If there had been a substantial increase in entries I would have said great, but as far as I'm aware it isn't bolstering the numbers."

Bromwich claims some of the more senior players are particularly reluctant to play 11-a-side in which teams play without a full-back or loose forward.

"It gives big open spaces for the lads to fill and some of them are not as fit as they used to be," he said, adding that the reduction in squad numbers to 17 meant he would have to disappoint five players.

Former Heworth coach Keith Loft was planning to enter a Volunteers team, but he is also known to oppose the new format.

However, Interworks committee member Eddie Loftus insisted there would be no back-tracking.

"We make decisions and we stand by them. It's an 11-a-side competition and that's the end of it," said Loftus.

"The competition has gone to the wall in the last few years. Last year we had eight teams which was the biggest entry we've had for a while, but some teams couldn't raise full sides.

"We will keep trying different formats until we find one that works. If it doesn't work this year we will try something else next year, maybe even 15-a-side."

Loftus said all teams were invited to attend a meeting last week to discuss and vote on the new format. However, no representatives from Acorn or Volunteers attended.

Loftus stressed they would not know if the new rule has had the desired affect until the closing date for entries on April 25.

He said the majority of teams always handed their entries in on the night of the closing date when the draw also takes place.

Any teams wishing to take part in this year's tournament should ring Spen Allison on 01904 655041 for an entry form which must be handed in by 7.30pm on April 25 at South Bank WMC.

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