LANCASTER is back on the rugby league map after the town's recently formed club was voted into the game's national structure.

Lancaster will take on clubs from Blackpool, Bolton, Carlisle, Chester and Liverpool in the north-west division - chasing a place in the National Conference.

The announcement was made at the Houses of Parliament.

Lancaster will take a place in one of the fastest growing competitions in British sport, along with 20 other new clubs.

Rugby League executive chairman Richard Lewis, says: "In the space of five years the Rugby League Conference has grown from 14 clubs to 52.

"This year will be the biggest yet, and includes 20 town and cities which are completely new to the sport. We are looking forward to 2003 in earnest."

Lancaster chairman John Thomason, says: "This is great news for rugby league in Lancaster and throughout the country.

"Rugby players in the Morecambe Bay area now have a chance to play du-ring the summer, and sports fans in the city have a new club to support during what is traditionally the closed season."

Each of the division's six teams will play each other on a home and away basis before the league play-offs start in earnest in July.

"It'll be a tough division," says the club's Richard de la Riviere: "The Carlisle Centurions are run by former British Lion Bev Risman and, with their proximity to the rugby league communities along the Cumbrian coast. they will be a team to watch."

January 16, 2003 10:00