English Origin
Game Quashed

English rugby league's County of Origin match has been canned for season 2004. Governing body the Rugby Football League has dropped the Yorkshire v Lancashire clash after reviving it three years ago.

The series , taken from a similar event in Australia, was reinstated as a mid-season trial ahead of internationals, and then expanded to two games in 2002.

But club support for the fixture was not forthcoming, and teams were reluctant to release their players.

RFL performance director David Waite has now decided to reduce the commitments of his elite players.

An RFL spokesman said: "The decision was taken jointly between the RFL and the clubs when no space in the fixture calendar could be found to expand it from one game."