WITH the Silk Cut Cup and Super League trophy already at Knowsley Road, Saints' Academy squad will bid to make it a third when they meet Castleford in the Challenge Cup Final at Spotland, Rochdale, on Sunday, kick-off 3.30pm.

The eagerly-awaited clash promises to be another scoring extravaganza, with Saints having amassed 188 points and conceded 70 on the way to the final, with the results being 42-16 versus Wakefield; 34-32 at Huddersfield; 78-0 at London, and 34-22 against Leeds at Moss Lane.

Castleford, who finished runners-up in the table, totted up 151 points against 59 in their run to the final, and Saints will have great incentive for revenge in having lost 48-24 at Castleford and 34-14 at Knowsley Road last season.

Team news from Saints is that they expect to field the side which defeated the Loiners in the semi-final, which would mean the inclusion of tourists Danny Arnold, Paul Anderson and Andy Leathem prior to leaving for New Zealand the following weekend.

Admission is just £3 - which includes an Oldham versus Wakefield Plate Final curtain-raiser - and coach seats may be booked at Knowsley Road. Saints' Superstore will remain open during normal business hours throughout the close season.

Former Saints' player Vinty Matthews, who was a member of the Knowsley Road squad before and after the Second World War, has died age 75. The funeral takes place at St. Teresa's Church, Newtown, today, Thursday, at noon.

Forthcoming events in the Gus O'Donnell kidney machine appeal include: Race afternoon at the Swan, Newton, Sunday, September 29. Race night at the Alexandra Hotel, Thatto Heath, Thursday, October 3, and at the Clarendon, College Street, Thursday, October 10. Sportsman's dinner at Golden Lion, Rainford, Wednesday, October 16. Further details from Jimmy O'Sullivan on St. Helens 28148 or George Connolly on 0151-426-0030.

'Everyone safe and being well looked after!' That was the report from Bradford Bulls and former Saints' star Bernard Dwyer when he telephoned his anxious wife Jackie to reassure her following riots when the British Lions landed in Papua New Guinea. Speaking from their Toll Bar home mother-of-two Mrs Dwyer told me: 'Apparently the locals are excitable and two were shot dead during disturbances at a local final. However, Bernard told me that after being confined to their hotel, the British team were allowed into town over the weekend, and are well liked by the Papuans. He is out of action with blistered feet but says the worst thing was the 50-hour nightmare journey from Manchester to Port Moresby.'

Meanwhile Saints full-back Steve Prescott kicked five goals and loose forward Karle Hammond scored a try when Great Britain defeated a PNG President's team 34-8 on Wednesday. Regular up-dates on the tour from Anthony Sullivan can be heard on Saints' Newsline until the squad return on Monday, November 4.

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