New doubts were cast over the revised £44million Sky television deal as First and Second Division clubs shifted the battleground in their long-running dispute with Super League.

Representatives of all 31 professional clubs failed to reach agreement over the latest offer from News Corporation during a seven-hour RFL Council meeting in Salford yesterday.

Super League chairman Chris Caisley accused the First and Second Division Association (FASDA) of jeopardising the Sky contract by attempting to use it as a tool to retain promotion from the First Division.

Although FASDA clubs are resigned to being phased out of the Sky television deal, they are concerned that new franchises in Gateshead and South Wales could gain access to Super League at the expense of First Division clubs.

Caisley said: "It's unfortunate that they have clouded the issue in this way.

"We see it as a separate issue. We feel that the hesitancy could jeopardise the re-negotiation of the deal."

Although the present £87million deal does not expire until December 31, 2000, News Corporation were hoping for a response to their revised offer at yesterday's meeting.

Nigel Quarmby claimed two tries as BARLA Great Britain recovered from a shaky start to beat North Coast in Coffs Harbour 20-10 yesterday.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.