THE Ironsides will be back to defend the Fairfax Cup at the eighth annual York 9s Rugby League Festival next month.

The festival’s two main competitions – the Fairfax Cup and Archbishop Dolben Trophy – will be staged at Heworth ARLC’s Elm Park Way ground on Saturday, July 4.

The games will kick off at 2pm and run simultaneously on neighbouring pitches. Prior to those competitions, the popular Marston Moor Cup for schools will be held, kicking off at noon.

There will also be a tag exhibition game involving the Great Britain tag team, featuring legends such as Garry Schofield, Tommy Martyn, Paul Newlove, Gary Connolly and Mick Cassidy.

The team tours the UK playing exhibition games to raise money for the Life For A Kid Foundation.

Entry costs £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and admission is free for under-12s. The Ironsides will face strong competition for the Fairfax Cup from rivals including the Police, York City Knights, York RUFC and 9s stalwarts the British Army, who this year have agreed to field some of their Academy players.

The Archbishop Dolben Trophy sees last year’s victors Fife Lions returning along with the Heavy Woollen Donkeys, the Cattledogs, Northallerton Stallions and the two new teams, Wyke and the Royal Dragoon Guards.

Tournament organiser Cath Murray said: “We think this is one of the best and most evenly balanced line-ups since the festival began.

“The reality is that any team can come out on top.

“The Army are bringing academy players who will be super fit and as usual very well prepared as you expect from the Army.

“The Police will be strong, as will the ever-present York RU, who I think may be the dark horses this year.”

A new innovation this year sees the referees and touch judges supplied by the Combined Forces.

Kevin Pratt, team manager of the Ironsides and festival organiser, said: “We are keen to support the armed forces, especially at the moment, when so many of our young service personnel are away from home.

“This year as well as welcoming back two forces teams, we are delighted the Rugby Football League has arranged for many of the match officials to be supplied from the Combined Forces.

“We are very pleased about that as the festival has always been about developing, not only players, but also administrators, officials and, of course, volunteers who again will be the back bone of the festival.

“We would like to thank them all for supporting the development of rugby league at grassroots level.”

The Marston Moor Cup for schools is run in conjunction with City of York Council and York City Knights, and former Knights star Danny Brough will present the trophies. On Sunday, July 5, Heworth will also be holding a tournament for junior amateur rugby league teams.