THE future of winter amateur rugby league game is once more the subject of speculation following the announcement of the Yorkshire Men's League summer programme, which starts in earnest on Saturday, April 9.

West Bowling, who finished as Pennine League Premier Division runners-up are in the top tier, and start their new life with a trip to Hull's Norland Sharks.

Bowling have been far from happy with the Pennine set-up in a five-club competition and are keen to eventually return to the National Conference League that they graced successfully before the switch to summer forced them to vacate Bankfoot Cricket Club.

Queensbury and Wibsey Warriors will provide tantalising local interest in Division One, while Bradford Victoria Rangers and Keighley Albion lock horns in Division Two.

Bradford Dudley Hill A stay in Division Three, and Odsal Sedbergh, who have failed to complete the Pennine Championship season, are allocated a berth in Division Five.

It remains to be seen how the summer-based season fares, with the obvious conflicts due to holidays and other sporting distractions but a settled competitive fixture list has its attractions for the Bradford-based clubs.

The Pennine League have struggled all season to stabilise their programmes as teams fold, and the challenge in the close season will be to re-establish themselves as the traditional provider of what used to be a vibrant winter game.