GREAT Britain centre Gary Connolly could be on his way back to Knowsley Road - four years after leaving Saints for arch- rivals Wigan!

In a statement to the Star yesterday (Wednesday) a Saints' spokesman said: "I can confirm that we have made a tentative inquiry for Gary."

Wigan chairman Mike Nolan agreed his club were aware of Saints' interest in Connolly but was not prepared to comment further.

A product of St. Helens' schools and junior rugby, 25-year-old Gary, who lives at Garswood, was transferred to Wigan for a record £250,000 fee, and is ranked among the game's top threequarters and can also play full-back.

He played his last game for Saints, in which he scored a try - ironically against Wigan - in the 10-4 Premiership Final win at Old Trafford in 1993.

Meanwhile Saints' expect developments by the weekend on the proposed triple transfer of Alan Hunte, Steve Prescott and Simon Booth to Hull Sharks, but they have denied interest in Lee Hansen, of Wigan, and Stuart Spruce, of Bradford Bulls.

Club sources were remaining tight-lipped on reports that winger Anthony Sullivan was seeking contract talks with the board, but they were happy to confirm that agreement had been reached with Tommy Martyn on an extension to his existing deal.

Saints will commence their defence of the Silk Cut Cup on the weekend of February 14/15, which is a fortnight later than last season.

Former Test scrum-half Neil Holding, who is now head groundsman at Knowsley Road, is looking for a video of the Saints 32-3 victory over Featherstone in a third round Challenge Cup tie in 1989. Neil won the man-of-the-match award in that game and he can be contacted on St. Helens 236907.

Arrangements are in hand for Saints to visit Wigan in a Norweb Challenge match on Boxing Day.

Details regarding the sale of season tickets will be announced from Knowsley Road next week.

Great Britain hooker Keiron Cunningham is making good progress following groin surgery last week and is confident of being fit for the new season.

The Luke Bryan Testimonial committee has organised a Christmas mega draw which includes prizes donated by Saints' and Wigan. Volunteers are needed to sell tickets and they are asked to contact Linda Travis on 01942-276293 or George Anderton on 01744-734614.

Other forthcoming events include a fashion show at Haydock Cricket Club on Monday, December 1, at 7.30pm, with admission being £1

Answer to correspondent Harry Wright, of Billinge: Saints last won the now-defunct Lancashire Cup when they defeated Rochdale Hornets 24-14 at Warrington in season 1991-92. Try scorers were Phil Veivers (2), George Mann (2), and Paul Bishop, who also kicked two goals. Saints' team was: Tanner; Riley, Connolly (Bailey) , Ropati, Sullivan; Veivers, Bishop; Neill (Forber), Groves, Ward, Harrison, Mann, Cooper.

Saints, however, were defeated 5-4 by Wigan in the 1992-93 clash played at Knowsley Road. Their two goals were kicked by Bernard Dwyer and the Saints' line-up was: Veivers (O'Donnell); Hunte, Connolly, McCracken, Sullivan; Ropati, Griffiths; Harrison (Forber), Dwyer, Ward, Joynt, Nickle, Cooper.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.