MORE big strides are afoot for York & District ARL with the return later this year of the East v West challenge match – to be followed by a representative clash against York City Knights.

The inaugural “state of Yorigin” match between players from either side of the Ouse proved a huge hit last December, a four-figure crowd turning out at the neutral York RUFC ground at Clifton Park to see players from York Acorn and York Lokomotive team up against counterparts from Heworth and New Earswick.

It even provided a platform for then Acorn star Joe Porter to be offered professional terms by the Knights.

This year’s repeat clash is being planned for October, potentially at Clifton Park again, with the squads to be picked after open trials which are being pencilled in for next month.

The York & District rep team will be selected after that, to go up against James Ford’s Knights outfit over the Christmas period.

“If we’re coming up with things like this, it’s massive news for York & District,” said organiser Leigh Paul-Rientoul, Acorn’s head coach.

“If we can play against York Knights at a good venue, it’d be brilliant. If East v West got over 1,000 then why not 2,000 for this one?

“Over Christmas a lot of people won’t be at work and with the pro club and all four community clubs involved, everyone interested in rugby league in York could fancy it.”

Paul-Rientoul has been one of the leading lights behind getting York & District ARL going again “in a big way”. New Earswick committee man Gary Dickenson is another.

Impetus came following the death last year, aged 68, of York RL off-field legend Stuart Evans, who was a big advocate of the amateur game in the city, as well as a Rugby Football League official and administrator and historian for the Knights.

The East v West match was held as a fundraising event in his honour.

Since then, a successful representative tour to the Ukraine has taken place, while a big fundraising dinner has been organised for Sunday, August 20, for which only a few tickets remain.

“This year we’ll be upping our game and 100 per cent picking the best players in York,” said Paul-Rientoul, the rep squad for the Ukraine trip having been picked on various merits.

“They’ve all got something to play for. It can lift the amateur players. The East v West game is a great concept, and the Knights match will give them a chance to prove themselves against professional players.

“It also gives them a chance to get in the shop window and ‘do a Joe Porter’ and get signed by York.”

The York & District dinner, meanwhile, will be held at the York Marriott Hotel on Tadcaster Road, with Leeds and Great Britain legend Barrie McDermott the guest speaker. It starts at 1pm. It does not clash with a Knights home match that day, with Ford’s troops away to Barrow in the League One Super 8s.

It is almost sold out but anyone wanting remaining tickets can phone Paul-Rientoul on 07854 378293.