Hamilton pulls out of Eels deal

Hamilton has pulled out of its three-year agreement to host the Parramatta Eels' NRL "home games" against the New Zealand Warriors.

Hamilton City Council voted 6-4 to withdraw from the deal yesterday with a year to run because it was losing too much money. It had lost more than $NZ200,000 ($A170,430) over the two years.

Hamilton Mayor Michael Redman voted in favour of the Eels returning next year but says some councillors thought there were too many variables to continue to support the fixture. A pre-season match between the Warriors and St George Illawarra in 2004 made money and attracted more than 22,000 fans.

However, the first NRL match that year lost $NZ61,000 ($A51,980) and this year's match lost $NZ144,000. ($A122,710).