RUGBY League buffs from Lancaster and Morecambe are to turn the clock back 100 years - to give their sport a modern day boost.

Rivals players from the Heysham Atoms and Lancaster RLFC camps are to pool their resources for a special 'Morecambe Bay Origin Challenge' match next spring.

They are billing the clash as a unique partnership between the rugby clubs, aiming to create an exciting and dynamic future for rugby league in the Bay.

The special contest between Lancaster and Morecambe will be based, like Australia's State of Origin' series, upon the home of players rather than their club loyalty.

It commemorates the centenary of Lancaster meeting Morecambe in the Rugby League Challenge Cup in the 1903-04 season, when the local teams played out an unusual 0-0 draw at Quay Meadow, followed by a 13-4 win for Lancaster at Morecambe's Moss Lane ground.The game will take place in Lancaster during the spring.

Lancaster Captain designate Rob Shaw says: "Rugby league has a great past in the area. In Lancaster alone there were three professional rugby clubs in 1903 and it's great to resurrect this heritage with the Origin concept. I, for one, can't wait."

And Morecambe representative Keith Hartlebury says: "The Origin game will give a lot of lads the first chance to play rugby league for their home town in 90 years."

The two representative teams will be playing in the colours of the original two clubs - red and white hoops for Lancaster and blue and white hoops for Morecambe.

"A lot of people in Morecambe have been introduced to rugby league through the Atoms. I'm sure they will get behind our town and support the team when the game takes place next year," says Hartlebury.

o Right, Keith Hartlebury (left) and Rob Shaw don the colours of their 'origin' towns to prepare for the special challenge match.

o Atoms' winning sequence ends, see inside