JOINT Super League leaders Saints face a stern test of their ability to repeat last season's championship success when they travel to Leeds tomorrow night, kick-off 7.30pm.

A wind of change has blown through Headingley following a disastrous previous campaign, with a clutch of Australians being drafted in, along with ex-Warrington and Wales star Iestyn Harris.

Saints, who will be seeking to extend an eight-match winning run, expect to be at full strength apart from forward Derek McVey, who is being treated for an ankle injury.

The match is NOT televised; referee is Robert Connolly, and the Academy teams will meet in a curtain-raiser kicking off at 5.30pm.

The Saints versus Salford match, originally scheduled for next Wednesday, will now be played at Knowsley Road on Tuesday, kick-off 7.30pm.

The match programme, which so far this season has been produced in Bristol, has returned to local printers Colourplan, and will be on sale in a revamped format price £2.

Only a few individual Wembley tickets remain on sale at Knowsley Road, and these may be obtained during office hours.

'Trip of a Lifetime' raffle tickets, with the main prize being a three-week visit to Australia and New Zealand for Saints' World Club Challenge games, are on sale at the Superstore, price £1.

Saints' Past Players Association will be the guests of Leeds at Headingley tomorrow night. The coach will leave Knowsley Road at 5.30pm and the cost, including barbecue, is £6 payable on the night. Further details from PPA secretary Geoff Pimblett on St. Helens 24611.

Saints' centre Alan Hunte is the first Stones Gold Award winner for 1997 after hitting peak form during March. Said Rugby League technical director Joe Lydon: "Alan has matured into an all-round player and has proved a revelation at centre as a replacement for Scott Gibbs." Knowsley Road starlet Lee Briers was among other contenders for the award. Following discussions with fellow board members Malcolm Kay has withdrawn his letter of resignation, and will resume his duties as a director and chairman of the ground committee. Vice-chairman Tom Ellard has also rescinded his notice of resignation from that position.

Saints have signed 13-year-old full-back Liam Williams on schoolboy forms. A pupil at St. Augustine's High School, Liam plays for Blackbrook Royals, captains the North West Counties squad and has also represented BARLA.

The father of Saints' head groundsman and former Great Britain star Neil Holding has died. The funeral of Jimmy Holding, who passed away at the age of 69, takes place today, Thursday, at the Wesley Church, Corporation Street, at 10.15am.

Forthcoming events in the Gus O'Donnell kidney machine appeal include: Sportsman's Dinner at Stakis Hotel on Friday, April 25. Tickets £17.50 are available from Jimmy O'Sullivan on St. Helens 28148. Mike Callaghan Roadshow, Sutton St. Anne's Club, Wednesday, May 14. Tickets £2 from Ann Collins Marshalls Cross 818708.

Saints and Haydock RFC are to team up on Sunday, April 20, in a 10-mile sponsored 'pass-a-thon' in aid of teenage amateur player Luke Bryan, who was seriously injured in a match last October. Luke's team-mates will pass a ball from the club's base at Haydock Cricket Club, Piele Road, to Knowsley Road along an authorised route; collecting buckets will be on hand both en-route and on arrival at Saints for the game against Warrington. Major sponsorship is welcome, while the 'going rate' is £1 per mile or more! Further details from appeal secretary Linda Travis on 01942-276293 or David Howes 23697.

Answer to correspondent Alice Mooney, of Eccleston: Saints' substitutes at Wembley last season were Alan Hunte, Vila Matautia, Tommy Martyn and Ian Pickavance. All four were used.

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