LEIGH are still in high spirits despite the disappointment of the postponement of Sunday's Silk Cut Challenge Cup fourth round tie at Hull KR.

The confident second division side quickly got over the feeling of anti-climax when blizzards wiped out the Craven Park showdown.

The team still travelled to Humberside, deciding to continue with their planned preparations.

"It was worth very penny," says Leigh chairman Mick Higgins. "The time the lads were able to spend together as a unit has helped forge a tremendous team spirit.

"In fact I'd go as far as to say that it's the best I've known in my four years in charge...and that includes Steve Simms' first season when we put together a tremendous run to aviod relegation from the old Division One. "The team spirit is brilliant at the moment. The lads are mates on and off the pitch and that's starting to show through in our performances.

"It was a bit of an anti-climax when the game was called off but the lads will be in the right frame of mind next Sunday," he adds.

Leigh will also continue with their plans to mobilise a small army for fans for the trip to Hull.

The nine coaches providing free travel for fans have been re-booked and all fans with tickets are asked to assemble to Hilton Park for a 10am pre-trip breakfast.

Leigh are still expecting to take close on 1000 fans to Craven Park with others booked on alternative trips or travelling independently. It is expected to be Leigh's biggest away following since the narrow 1987 Challenge Cup semi-final defeat by St Helens at Wigan.

The prospects of Sunday's game going ahead have improved since the weekend. Three inches of snow have been allowed to stay on the pitch as a protection against frost.

Sunday's postponement came as something of a relief for Rovers who would have been without skipper Sam Stewart and 28-try winger David Plange who were laid up with flu.

Leigh will keep their kick off times at 3pm on Sundays for the first summer season but with an option of switching to 6pm if the weather becomes too hot.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.