Northern proposal to quit Odsal

A six-man group has launched a bid to take over Bradford Northern and yesterday unveiled a package that would include the club ground-sharing with their football neighbours, Bradford City, at Valley Parade.

Richard Hayter, one of only two members of the group to have gone public, said: "We all have the interests of Bradford Northern at heart. We will make significant sums of cash available immediately.

"We feel a move to Valley Parade would be an essential part of our plan to help generate more income and provide supporters with the facilities they deserve."

Northern's future at Odsal has been in doubt because of council-backed plans to build a £200m superdome on the site.

Leigh yesterday took the first steps back to financial solvency by buying the club back from the administrators. Mick Higgins, the club chairman, said: "This is a major step forward ensuring the long-term success and survival of our club."

Leigh are sharing Hilton Park with Horwich RMI FC after the football club sold their Grundy Hill ground for development.

Barrie-Jon Mather has pledged his future to Wigan, as the club prepare to face Widnes in today's Challenge Cup quarter-final, by coming off the transfer list. He was listed at his own request and linked with a permanent move to the new Winfield Cup club, Western Reds.

Mather, who will still have a summer spell in Perth, said: "I was listed because I was unhappy with a few things, but the coach has had a chat with me and I'm now delighted to stay."

Mather is again on the bench today after making a successful comeback from injury in last Sunday's 38-0 rout of Workington.

n Peter Livett scored a hat-trick of tries as the BARLA Great Britain Lions beat the South African Rhinos 40-14 in the second Test in Johannesburg. The Lions led 18-14 at the interval and completed a comfortable win after the Rhinos had two players sent off in the second half.