Good behaviour saves Connolly from suspension

Gary Connelly's previous good record has saved him from any suspension for the high tackle on Steve Prescott that sparked such controversy in Leeds's Challenge Cup victory over Hull on Sunday.

The Great Britain centre or full-back was placed on report for the tackle, which Hull believed should have resulted in a sending off and a penalty try.

The Rugby League's disciplinary committee last night found him guilty of a reckless high tackle and fined him £500, but stopped short of a ban. They explained later that Connelly's remarkable 15-year record of never having even been sent to the sin-bin for foul play had counted in his favour. That itself is a testimony to the tackling technique of one of the most effective defenders in the game.

For the third consecutive year, Connelly's present club, Leeds, will face his first, St Helens, in the semi-finals of the competition, having lost to them last year and in 2001.

Leeds beat Saints in the fifth round in 1999 on their way to winning the Cup and again the following year when they lost in the final at Murrayfield to Bradford, but they will still feel that they have got the draw they would rather have avoided.

The other semi-final will involve the other two members of the so-called Big Four, Bradford and the holders Wigan. The semi-finals will be played on the weekend of 12 and 13 April, just two weeks before the final in Cardiff, where yesterday's draw was made.

The Rugby League's executive chairman, Richard Lewis, took the opportunity to predict a resurgence of the code in Wales, with the launch of a new Welsh Division of the Rugby League Conference this summer. "Rugby league in Wales is about to enter a period of great growth and development,'' he said.

Bradford's Tongan winger, Tevita Viakona, is expected to be out of action for a month following a new flare-up of his Achilles tendon problems. Viakona had surgery on the injury last year and had made a comeback before suffering a setback in training.

His team-mate Leon Pryce has had his trial for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm delayed until October, because a number of Bradford players could be required as witnesses. Pryce has pleaded not guilty to the charge, arising out of an incident last September.

Penrith's former Australian Test centre, Ryan Girdler, could miss most of the season after suffering a shoulder injury in their first match of the season.

POWERGEN CHALLENGE CUP Semi-finals: Wigan v Bradford; Leeds v St Helens (to be played 12 and 13 April).