THE York International 9s rugby league festival will revert to a one-day bonanza this year - and the standard could yet rise again.

The inaugural tournament in 2002 was a one-day event, but ever since has been held over a weekend, to incorporate an increase in the number of participating teams.

Last year, the main competition, the Fairfax Cup, was held on one day, with the Archbishop Dolben Cup for development teams the next.

Organisers reckon the re-structured format will make for a more intense event.

Festival chairman Neal Coupland said: "In keeping with the festival goals of promoting the development of the game, while providing the sporting public with a high intensity of competition, it will run a streamlined format for 2007."

This year's festival, to be staged again at Heworth ARLC's Elmpark Way ground, will take place on Saturday, July 14.

Eight teams will be invited to compete in the Fairfax Cup, and, according to the organisers, it is anticipated that it will see the highest standard of 9s rugby league since the festival's inception.

Last year, National League clubs York City Knights, Batley and Featherstone raised the bar at the York 9s, previous events having been played out by amateur and foreign teams. There is yet no news on which teams might be competing this year, though it is expected the calibre will again improve.

Eight teams will also compete for the Archibishop Dolben Cup, while the festival celebrations will again feature the final stages of the Marston Moor Cup for York and District schools. This has been expanded in 2007 to include secondary as well as primary schools, to mirror the increased development work done by the Knights' community team around the area.

The festival, which has always had an historic Civil War theme, will as usual receive the support of City of York Council.

Events and festivals officer Liz Topi said: "We are delighted to welcome back the York 9s for its sixth year. The festival plays an important role in celebrating the historical role our city played in the Civil War and provides an outstanding opportunity for local schoolchildren to participate in a professionally organised sporting event.

"We look forwards to welcoming teams from across England and France."