THE ruling that ex-Leigh hooker Mick Higham has finally been confirmed as a St Helens player by the Rugby League has been welcomed at Hilton Park.

Centurions' chairman Mike Nolan is delighted that the nine-month saga involving Leigh, Halifax and Saints has finally been resolved.

"The Leigh club is delighted that the situation has finally been resolved," he says. "We wish Mick all the best for the future.

"While we've not benefited financially, it has shown that we will not lie down without a fight. If people out there want to take us on they'd better be good - both on and off the field."

After months of wrangling between Saints and Halifax over which club holds the hooker's registration, the RFL's Advisory Panel has ruled in favour of the Knowsley Road club.

The decided that Higham originally signed for the Blue Sox on September 4 last year. However the contract was inadmissible because the player was still contracted to Leigh.

In order to negotiate a release from Hilton Park, Higham had to claim free agent status. That failed and opened the door for Saints to make a late bid, agreeing with Leigh to a player exchange deal involving John Hamilton and Jason Johnson.