HIGH-FLYING Saints are hoping for a seventh successive win when Huddersfield-Sheffield Giants come to Knowsley Road on Bank Holiday Monday, kick-off 3pm.

With leaders Bradford Bulls otherwise engaged, third-placed Saints will be seeking to go level at the top of the table, and are expected to name the same 17 that defeated Wigan and Warrington.

Paul Sculthorpe, who damaged his thigh against Halifax, has not been ruled out but is likely to postpone his return until the trip to Castleford the following Sunday.

Estimated times of recovery for the other walking wounded are: Vila Matautia (broken arm) two months. Paul Newlove (torn calf muscle) one month. Paul Atcheson (shoulder injury) fortnight.

With the ex-St. Helens exodus of two seasons ago long departed, the Giants squad has an unfamilar ring, with the likely line-up being: Reilly; Houles, Lovell, Crowther, Sovatabua; Thorman, Clinch; Molloy, Lawless, Laughton, Turner, Marshall, Hardy. Substitutes Molyneux, Gleeson, Ngamu, Russell.

Marketing director Alan Rowley is liaising with Keiron and Leanne Pickavance on an entertainment programme with a May Day theme, while coach Ian Millward will speak and choose his man-of-the-match in the cabaret room at 6pm. This will be become a regular feature at Knowsley Road. Saints have reacted to complaints from ticket holders whose admission was delayed to the game against Wigan on Good Friday. Said senior gate-checker Arthur Moore: "Five turnstiles are specifically allocated to this section of our supporters. Two are positioned near the restaurant, two at the Eccleston end, and one on the popular side. This is to guarantee ticket-holders admission if the ground capacity is reached. Cash-paying turnstiles were restricted to those supporters in particular for the Wigan game." Mr. Moore also added that the official attendance for the game was 14,037 and - due to computer error- not 13,037 as previously reported. This was the biggest Super League attendance for the second week in succession Often the unsung hero at Saints, grafting New Zealand born prop Julian O'Neill is poised to play his 100th game for the team on Monday. He came to Knowsley Road in December 1996.

Joint league leaders Saints Alliance defeated Dewsbury 28-20 at the Ram Stadium last week. Tries were scored by Scott Barrow, Nick Camman, Tim Jonkers, Grant Bithell and Mark McCully, who also kicked four goals. Team: Giles; Camman, McCully, Kirkpatrick, Cunliffe; Barrow, Braddish; Leathem, McConnell, Price, Jonkers, Holdstock, Jonkers. Substitutes Bithell, Hitchmough, Loughlin, Proudfoot. Next Alliance match is against Castleford Tigers at Knowsley Road on Wednesday, May 3, kick-off 7.30pm.

The Academy team lost 51-20 at home to Wigan on Good Friday, and 28-8 at Warrington on Monday. Huddersfield-Sheffield Giants are due at Knowsley Road on Bank Holiday Monday, kick-off 12.45pm.

South African wing legend Tom Van Vollenhoven, who lives in Johannesburg, will celebrate his 65th birthday this Saturday, April 29. Saints' Past Players secretary Geoff Pimblett has sent Tom a message of congratulation on behalf of everyone at Knowsley Road.

The next First Friday dinner will be held at the St. Helens Hilton on May 5, starting at noon. Speaker is Ian Millard and comedian Mickey Gunn. Further details from Helen Lawrenson on 23697.

The Past Players Association will hold their 21st annual dinner in the cabaret lounge on Friday, June 9, from 7.15pm. Speaker is Neil Holding, comedian Norman Prince and chairman Lennie Lowe. Tickets price £18 from Geoff Pimblett on 24611. In answer to Alf Arnold's query last week David Swain, of Windle, has confirmed that Cowley did thrash Parr Central by 60-odd points under Rugby League rules, but only at junior level. The match took place at Parr in season 1949-50. David played in the Cowley team and produced a photograph also containing the following names: Martin, Bellard, Mather, Morgan, Barnes, Jones, Bromilow, Robinson, Houghton, Danson, Arnold, Skerry, Critchley, Toman. Teacher was Mr. Morley.