Rugby League: Sorensen in charge at Whitehaven: Widnes stalwart becomes new player-coach for Cumbrian club

KURT SORENSEN, who played his last game for Widnes in the Challenge Cup final earlier this month, is to be the new player-coach at Whitehaven.

Sorensen has returned from holiday with the decision to turn down a new, one-year contract with Widnes to take charge at the Cumbrian club.

Leigh's lease at Hilton Park, their home for 46 years, ran out yesterday, with the club still waiting to learn whether they can stay. The administrators, who hold the lease on behalf of a former director, said they were unable to comment, but the club's general manager, John Stringer, said: 'We haven't got a clue what is going on, but, until we are told otherwise, we are going to carry on as normal.'

The Rugby League has given its blessing to London Crusaders' proposed move to Copthall Stadium at Hendon. The Crusaders were locked out of their offices at the National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace this week amid accusations that they had not paid their rent.

London, formerly known as Fulham, have played at Crystal Palace for the last three seasons, but feel that a compact ground right beside the M1 will serve them better.

Wigan's interest in the Wakefield stand-off, Nigel Wright, has cooled. 'It looks very much as though Wakefield are determined to keep him and sell other players instead,' the Wigan chairman, Jack Robinson, said. 'Now that Andrew Farrar has retired, our priority must be a centre.'

Wigan are being strongly linked with Terry Hill, of Western Suburbs, the Australian centre they almost signed two years ago. They are also watching the positions of the British centres, Paul Newlove, of Featherstone, and St Helens' Gary Connolly.