Briefly : Wigan wobble in Paris

Rugby league

The Wigan coach, Graeme West, remained positive last night despite seeing his side's title chances nearly ruined by Paris St-Germain. The reigning champions scrambled to a 24-20 victory at the Charlety Stadium to cut St Helens' lead at the top of the Super League to just one point. Last night's narrow win came just eight days after Wigan's 20-12 defeat by the 12-man Bradford Bulls, which handed the initiative in the title race back to Saints. West admitted: "We aren't playing very well, but when you can come to Paris and win a game here, you can't be too despondent." Blackpool Gladiators and Hemel Hempstead have been told that they are not yet ready to be added to the second division of the Rugby League. The two clubs have had applications for membership turned down because their playing strength is not up to scratch.