Leigh seek to 'name and shame' hooligan element

Leigh have launched a "name and shame" campaign to identify the troublemakers who almost spoilt their big day against Wigan.

The Northern Ford Premiership club emerged with great credit from their 30-16 defeat in Sunday's Challenge Cup quarter-final, but the occasion was marred by bottles being thrown on to the ground by home supporters. "We wanted to show that we could stage a big show and this almost ruined it," Mike Nolan, the Leigh chairman, said. "There is closed-circuit TV footage of the incident, but we are also asking supporters to come forward and name the culprits."

Two people were ejected from Hilton Park during the game, but Leigh are determined to find any others involved. "The game has moved on from hooliganism and we have to move with it," said Nolan, who also insisted that he was proud of his side's performance, despite Wigan's complaints about their tactics. "I've looked at the video and Wigan gave as good as they got," he said. "You couldn't pick out one side as the aggressors."

The only club in the NFP without a point, Swinton, are hoping to open negotiations with Salford City Football Club about sharing their ground. Swinton could be homeless when the uncertain future of their current landlords, Bury, resolves itself. They have made overtures to Salford, but have been rejected and will play four matches this summer at Leigh.

Salford City's ground is just outside Swinton, but would represent a venue much closer to home for a club which has never thrived since selling its own ground at Station Road a decade ago.

The thermal clothing company, Damart, has provided the financial backing for a short tour by two Russian clubs, Kazan Arrows and Lokomotiv Moscow, in April. The two sides are to play two games each against opposition from the NFP, with the aim of testing Russian credentials for competing in the Challenge Cup next season.

In this year's semi-finals, Castleford will play Wigan at Headingley on 13 April, while St Helens meet Leeds at the JJB Stadium the following day.

Bradford have denied that their Great Britain prop, Stuart Fielden, could be the next in line for a move to Australia. Fielden has been linked with a series of clubs, including Canberra – coached by the former Bulls' coach, Matthew Elliott – but remains under contract with Bradford.