RUGBY LEAGUE: Gregory escapes penalty

THE SALFORD coach, Andy Gregory, has been exonerated in his latest brush with authority. The volatile former Great Britain scrum-half made one of his now regular trips to Rugby League headquarters in Leeds yesterday, only to be told that there was no case against him.

A sub committee had investigated allegations that Gregory had directed remarks at the referee, Karl Kirkpatrick, after Salford's game against Leeds last month. It was not found proven that Gregory had addressed the remarks to the referee and he could not therefore be charged with bringing the game into disrepute.

Gregory has had a series of problems with referees. In May, he was banned from the touchline and fined pounds 2,500, pounds 1,500 of it suspended, for abuse aimed at Steve Ganson. Last month, he was hauled up again for failing to pay that fine, but escaped further punishment when he finally paid up.

Mick Cassidy, the Wigan and Great Britain forward, will decide his future tomorrow when he responds to the offer of a new contract. Cassidy has been linked with Huddersfield, but Wigan are keen to keep him if they can agree terms. If Cassidy does sign again, it will increase the likelihood of another forward, Stephen Holgate, leaving. Holgate has been unable to command a regular first team place.

Castleford have extended the contract of their Australian half-back, Brad Davis, until the year 2000.

Tom Mitchell, one of the game's most visionary elder statesmen, has died at the age of 84. He was team manager of the 1958 Ashes-winning Great Britain tour to Australia.