RUGBY League new boys Lancaster claimed their first win of a disappointing debut season on Saturday.

After seven successive defeats in opening Lancaster's account in the Rugby League Conference they salvaged some pride at the prestigious York International Nines tournament - with an 18-6 win over Eastern Conference club Cambridge.

Lancaster crossed the whitewash three times - with the conversion added on each occasion - to give the team a needed mid-season tonic and some confidence for this weekend's league match against Bolton-le-Moors.

The win came after the team had been getting nowhere fast - beaten by Scottish, French and Asian opponents in their first three matches in the tournament.

Scottish champions Edinburgh Eagles demonstrated the intensity and speed required in nine-a-side rugby league by handing Lancaster a 32-0 thrashing.

In the team's second match, a hat trick from winger Cedric Duzant gave French semi-pro club FC Lezignan-Corbiers XIII an unsurpassable lead, and it was a similar story as South Asia Bulls - a representative side made up of players of Indian, Pakistani and other south Asian origin - nailed Lancaster 24-6.

The locals were far from disgraced, however, with teenager Liam Hall particularly putting in a fine performance both in defence and attack to attract positive comments from spectators.

Following the group stages Lancaster sneaked into the Fairfax Cup competition as the best placed runners-up and met York Ironsides in a new War of the Roses - but took another dramatic slump 36-6.

Club chairman John Thomason told the Citizen later: "It was a tremendous event both as a spectator and to be involved in, with all of the Lancaster players putting up an excellent performance against some tough and experienced sides.

"Dave McVernon and Liam Hall stand out for particular praise, but all of the players deserve credit for competing in such a fast-paced and high-profile event."

* LANCASTER'S next home game is against Bolton-le-Moors at the Giant Axe on Saturday, kicking off at 2.30pm.