FORMER Leigh Rugby League star Paul Rowley has been hailed a hero after saving a teenager's life.

The 23-year-old England international made the "save of the day" in plucking the terrified girl to safety from a fast flowing river.

The Super League hooker, who now lives near Bolton showed what a safe pair of hands he has when he waded waist-deep into a swollen water before hauling 13-year-old Naomi Ratcliffe (pictured) to the bank. And three hours later he turned in a second heroic performance - this time on the rugby pitch - with a match-winning performance for Halifax Blue Sox.

Paul's rescue happened after Naomi went for a paddle but slipped and the water threatened to sweep her away over a 15-foot weir.

Paul, who was relaxing before the match against the London Broncos, jumped over a wall and into the water but was nearly swept away himself.

But somehow he managed to wade into the brook and grabbed hold of Naomi before hauling her out.

Paul played down his heroics saying: "It was just one of those things. After the rescue I was late for the pre-match briefing and at first nobody believed my excuse."

But Naomi's mother, Julie, 33, said: "He's a real hero. I can't thank him enough."

Blue Sox coach John Pendlebury said: "We're all very proud of what Paul has done. If he performs like that after a swim perhaps he should do it before every game!

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