Heworth ARLC will continue to play in the British Amateur Rugby League Association's flagship league after successfully gaining re-election.

The Villagers finished second-bottom of the Arriva Trains Conference division two last season meaning they needed to re-apply for membership, but they have now received a letter confirming the decision to allow them to play in the league again next season.

Heworth spokesman Ken Sykes said: "They will ratify it at the league's annual meeting in June but we have it in writing that we're in next year.

"We put our business case forward and it was accepted. We never really considered what we would do if we weren't in the Conference League, so it's good news.

"We like it in the Conference League. We were there in 1986-87 in the first year when we won it, we've played an active part in it since then and we want to continue to do so.

"We've spent the majority of our time in the premier division and some time in division one. We're now in division two, and this is a tough one to get out of."

Bottom club Millom have also been given the green light for another year, while the new teams in the division will be Crosfields and Saddleworth Rangers, who were relegated from division one, and Pennine League premier division high-flyers Ovenden, who have had their application to join the league accepted.

Sykes added: "Millom have sought re-election before and have got it again so perhaps in some ways we were always going to be okay, although you never can take things for granted.

"Our facilities are in excess of a lot of other clubs and while we've been struggling on the playing side, hopefully we can turn it round next season."

York City Knights legend Rich Hayes, meanwhile, presented the awards at Heworth's presentation night.

The Villagers' player of the year was Wayne Foster, who lifted the Atkinson Memorial Trophy, and the back-rower also took the players' player of the year gong.

Clubman of the year was John Coulson and most improved was prop Will Neary, while a special award went to Gavin Grant for his 20-try haul.

Updated: 11:13 Wednesday, May 12, 2004