LEIGH are the latest club to kick Sunday evening start times into touch.

Two gates of just over 1000 in recent weeks have persuaded Hilton Park officials to scrap the Sunday evening experiment.

"I'm well aware that crowd figures are directly linked with on-field results and performances, but it's become increasingly obvious that fans, not just ours, don't like Sunday evening starts," says Leigh chairman Mick Higgins.

"Although crowds are poor because of the club's lowly league position after such high expectations at the start of the season, we feel that some fans have voiced their opinion over evening kick off times and voted with their feet. It's sensible to take notice of that fact."

Leigh have registered their new start time with the Rugby League and approval has been given for the new start time to begin with Sunday's Hilton Park clash with Hunslet.

Including Sunday's game, Leigh only have two further home games; Chorley on August 4 and Barrow on August 25.

The Leigh boss also feels that a two division formula will be re-introduced next season.

The Rugby League Council meet in Leeds with various proposals up for discussion. But the one common theme from the clubs is the shortage of matches, and therefore income.

"I would be in favour of a return to two divisions in principal," says Higgins. "But just how that is to be achieved and the criteria involved are still unclear.

"The bottom line is that clubs need more games to help make ends meet. A streamlined two division system of 30 or 32 clubs would satisfy most demands.

"Then of course there is the thorny problem of how the News Corporation money would be distributed in those circumstances. It all makes for a very interesting meeting."

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