WITH the race for places in the Super League top-five entering the home straight, fourth-placed Saints will seek to extend their winning run to five games with the visit of Halifax Blue Sox on Sunday, kick-off 3pm.

Further incentive for Saints is they have designs on the third spot currently held by Sox. So the scene is set for a battle royal, while the eagerly awaited clash is one of divided loyalties for Saints' marketing manager Alan Rowley, because his son Paul is the Halifax hooker. Robert Connolly is referee

Unique feature for the fans is that they will get three games for the price of one, with the Alliance squad facing Hemel Hempstead in a Challenge Cup match, kick-off 12.55pm, while the Academy squad will meet Halifax, kick-off 4.45pm.

The contract of Alliance coach Mike Gregory is not to be renewed and he will leave Saints at the end of the season.

Saints have signed Phil Adamson of Penrith Panther and are reported to have made an inquiry for Halifax winger Fereti Tuilagi

No approach has been received from Cardiff Rugby Union club for the services of Anthony Sullivan. Former Whitehaven stars Dick Huddart and John Tembey, who were transferred to Saints in the late 1950s and early1960s, are both named in the Cumbrian club's 'best-ever' team.

Paul Newlove is leading the race to become first player to score 50 tries in Super League. He has notched 48, while his wing partner Anthony Sullivan is in fourth place on 43.

The commercial department at Knowsley Road need lottery collectors for the Haresfinch and Carr Mill areas. Anyone interested should contact Tony Parr on 757905 or John Gavaghan on 617303

The Alliance team finished runners-up in the league following a 40-18 home victory over Sheffield Eagles. Tries were scored by Alan Cross (2), Nick Camman (2), Gareth Price (2), Paul Wellens and Steve Hall. Brian Capewell kicked four goals.

The Past Players Association will be guests of their Leeds counterparts on Friday, September 4. The coach will leave Knowsley Road at 5.30pm and the cost is £5. A trip is also planned to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday, October 24. Further details from PPA secretary Geoff Pimblett on St. Helens 24611.

Centre Damien Smith has asked to be released from his two-year contract in order to return to Australia. The next meeting of the St. Bernard's Pup's Club will be held at Knowsley Road on Tuesday, September 1, at 6pm for under-8s and 7pm for over-8s. Aunty Freda will supply details on St. Helens 602253.

Saints' Academy side lost 18-8 at Hull on Sunday. Scott Barrow scored a try and Kelvin Peet a conversion. Ifan Howell was sent off and Mike Loughlin was Saints' man-of-the-match.

Cronulla coach John Lang is the latest addition to the possibilities for a similar position at Knowsley Road.

A weekend photographic exhibition of Saints' kit down the years is currently been shown at The Smithy, Kiln Lane, by club historian Alex Service. Opening times on Saturday and Sunday are 1-4pm and there will be an extra viewing day on August Monday between the same times. The exhibition will run throughout September. Alex is presently working on a booklet on a similar theme which will be published at Christmas.

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