New 9s tournament to be revealed

A new Nines tournament featuring 12 Super League clubs, three Championship sides and a combined west Cumbrian team is set to be revealed soon.

The shortened version of the game has proved to be a success in recent years, with the Northern Rail 9s and Carnegie 9s tournaments proving popular.

The new competition is set to take place on Tuesday nights on a home and away basis, although exact details are yet to be ironed out.

The west Cumbrian team will feature players from Whitehaven and Workington, and while the other three Championship clubs to take part are yet to be confirmed, they will likely feature Super League newcomers Widnes, who will join the top flight in 2012.

Workington chairman Dave Bowden told the News & Star: “The Nines concept has been launched for the first time so is still in an embryonic stage.

“But we thought that working together would put less pressure on the squads in the league season, and it will also mean we are able to put out a reasonably strong team.

“We can share costs and ensure the area is represented. I’m really pleased that we are able to work together. It makes sense.”