YORK RUFC have been kicked out of next year's Yorkshire Cup.

They are among 28 clubs banned from the county's knockout competition after failing to fulfil fixtures this year.

The Clifton Park side pulled out of their second round tie against Doncaster on April 22 because they were involved in a Yorkshire/Northumberland and Durham promotion play-off with Hartlepool Rovers four days later.

The YRFU competitions committee have taken action after feeling they needed to preserve the status of their competitions.

York, who won their play-off, Bradford and Bingley, Driffield, Sheffield, Dinnington, Sandal and Sheffield Tigers have all been omitted from the Yorkshire Cup draw. Eleven sides have been ruled out of the Yorkshire Shield and a further 11 from the Silver Trophy.

It is not known if the omitted clubs, some who had good reasons for pulling out, will have the right of appeal.

Yorkshire Cup second round: Cleckheaton v Wharfedale, Harrogate v Old Brodleians or Leeds Tykes; Redcar or Scarborough v Selby or Old Crossleyans, Hull Ionians v Doncaster, Otley v Pontefract or Huddersfield, Wheatley Hills or Goole v Middlesbrough, Hull or Bridlington v West Leeds or Huddersfield YMCA, Morley v Halifax.

Excluded: Bradford and Bingley, Driffield, Sheffield, Dinnington, York, Sandal and Sheffield Tigers.

Did not enter: Rotherham, Wakefield.

Yorkshire Shield second round: Leodiensians v Pocklington, York RI v Wath on Dearne or Northallerton, Ilkley v Leeds Corinthians or Acklam, Bradford Salem or Old Otliensians v Castleford, West Park Bramhope v Thornensians or Ripon, Beverley or North Ribblesdale v Halifax Vandals or Yarnbury, Moortown or Stocksbridge v Malton and Norton or Wakefield Cougars, Keighley v Whitby or Knottingley.

Excluded from Shield: Barnsley, Bramley Phoenix, Baildon, Hemsworth, Hullensians, Roundhegians, Sheffield Oaks, Wetherby, Skipton and Heath.

Silver Trophy first round: Guisborough v Burley, Adwick le Street bye, Marist v Hornsea, Old Modernians v Hessle, Wharfedale Rams v Knaresborough, Garforth v Wibsey, Stanley Rodillians v Walkington Rovers, Airebronians v Ossett.

Excluded from Silver Trophy: Doncaster Phoenix, Richmondshire, Thirsk, Edlington Granby, Withernsea, Pontefract Pythons, Old Rishworthians, Wensleydale, Wickersley, Mosborough and Rotherham Clifton.

Updated: 11:17 Tuesday, June 03, 2003