BATTLING against injuries and loss of form in recent weeks, the fortunes of struggling Saints were given a welcome boost when international full-back Steve Prescott agreed a new deal and withdrew his transfer request on Tuesday.

A product of the Nutgrove amateur club, Prescott had been in contract dispute with Saints since returning from the Great Britain tour of New Zealand last winter and, on reluctantly asking for a move, was listed at £200,000.

Saints received no firm inquiries for Steve's services, which was no doubt due to the state of the transfer market, and the player soldiered on in his regular position and was a contender for the Lance Todd Trophy when Saints defeated Bradford Bulls in the Challenge Cup Final last month.

Said Saints' chief executive David Howes: "Steve has reached agreement with the club on a revision of his existing contract which has another two years to run, and we are happy that the matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned."

The World Club Challenge extravaganza gathers further momentum at Knowsley Road on Monday night when Saints entertain Cronulla Sharks, kick-off 7.45pm, with a St. Helens Crusaders v. Portico Panthers curtain-raiser starting at 6.45pm

International athletics personality Sally Gunnell will be available for autographs in the super-store between 6-7pm, and will make the raffle draw for Saints' trip to Australia and New Zealand at half time.

Team news from Knowsley Road is that Andy Northey will be clear of suspension and Vila Matautia (suspected broken hand) and Andy Haigh (facial damage) are expected to be fit, but the report is not so encouraging on Derek McVey (ankle), Paul Newlove (hamstring) and Karle Hammond, who is recovering from pneumonia.

The Cronulla line-up is expected to be: Peachey; Barnett, Ettingshausen, Richardson, Rogers; Healey, Green; Lee, Treister, Stevens, McKenna, Graham, Nikau. Substitutes Lang, Forrester, Sammut, Bell Saints' secretary Geoff Sutcliffe would like Star readers to turn detective as he searches for information about a shareholding certificate that has been unearthed which is endorsed 'Local newspapers, Park Road, St. Helens.' Geoff would welcome further details on St. Helens 23697.

Saints' first-ever Golf Classic day, which was to be played at the Blundells Hill club next Wednesday, June 18, has been postponed until Tuesday, September 2.

Saints Alliance side defeated Featherstone Rovers 37-20 at Knowsley Road. Their tries were scored by Briers (2), Bateman (2), Barrow, Gore and Hamilton, with Gore landing four conversions and Barrow a drop goal. Saints travel to Hull KR tomorrow, Friday).

Saints Academy team overcame Leeds by 40-30 at Knowsley Road. Their tries were scored by Wellens (2), Edmundson (2), Gaskell, Stephenson and McCormack. Wellens also kicked six goals.

Saints' Welsh international winger Anthony Sullivan needs three tries to reach a career double century. 125 of these were scored in a Saints' jersey.

The sponsored fun-run in aid of paralysed amateur player Luke Bryan takes place at Sankey Valley this Sunday, June 15, from 10.30am. Sponsorship forms are available from Paul Savage St. Helens 752212; Tony Haughey 608932, or Village News, Church Road, Haydock.

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