THREE York teams will be among ten sides taking to the field at Elmpark Way on Saturday for the inaugural Yorkshire Men’s League 9s tournament.

Hosts Heworth ARLC will be joined by York Lokomotive and York Acorn 'A', with the latter potentially throwing in some first-teamers given the Blue and Golds' blank weekend in the National Conference League and the fact their second string have a league match tonight.

The competition is the first of its kind for the YML and sees 9-a-side rugby league return to Elmpark Way for the first time since the York International 9s, the last of which took place in 2009.

The teams will be split into two groups of five playing in a round-robin format with the top two from each group progressing into the cup semi-finals and the teams in third and fourth going into the plate competition semi-finals.

The action kicks off at noon,with the finals of both competitions expected to be played around 4pm. Entrance is free of charge for spectators and refreshments will be available throughout the day.

“I’m sure the day will be a great event and yet another highlight of the Yorkshire Men’s League season,” said Chris Spurr, the Yorkshire Men's League competition manager and former York City Knights, Featherstone, Doncaster, Rochdale, Batley and Dewsbury professional.

“All the sides I’ve spoken to are really looking forward to taking to the pitch and it’s sure to be a great day.

“I’m expecting it to be a success and we’ll then hopefully look at making it an annual event.”

The other clubs taking part are Sharlston Rovers, West Hull, Kippax Knights, Featherstone Lions, Hunslet Club Parkside, Catterick Crusaders and one more to be confirmed.

Lokos will be hoping the short-sided action will give them a welcome break from their league campaign after their wait for a win stretched to five games with last week's narrow defeat to Bradford Victoria Rangers. They still remain second in YML division three.

Acorn 'A', meanwhile, face a YML division one match at Siddal 'A' tonight. The Thanet Road side, who had no game last weekend, sit second in the table, while Siddal rose to within three points of them with victory over Beverley.

Acorn's first team aree without a game for a second successive weekends and, while the fixture programme puzzled head coach Scott Rhodes, he saw the advantages.

"It's not ideal having two weekends off in the middle of the season but a handful of lads have gone on holiday so it's good they're using the time wisely rather than going when we've got games.

"Leigh Rientoul ('A' team coach) will be in charge tomorrow and I think he'll have a bit of a mixed side with 'A' team players and maybe a couple of younger lads and one or two of the first team."

New Earswick All Blacks have started training for their Pennine League winter season, which starts on September 19. Their first friendly is on September 5 at home to Queensbury.

Training is on Tuesdays and Thursdays, meet 6.45pm for a 7pm start, at White Rose Avenue. New and old players welcome.