Leigh and Whitehaven cleared for
promotion

It has been confirmed by the Rugby Football League that the winning team in Sunday?s LHF National League One Grand Final between Leigh Centurions v Whitehaven will be promoted to the Super League competition for the 2005 playing season. Both teams competing in the title decider at Halton Stadium in Widnes applied for promotion earlier this season and submitted the relevant business plans. Following a thorough assessment, both clubs have been informed that they have met the criteria for promotion to the Super League competition, subject to each of them completing additional stadium upgrade work.

Both clubs have given an undertaking to carry out this work in time for the start of the 2005 Super League season. Commenting on the decision, the Rugby Football League Chief Operating Officer Nigel Wood said: ?Each club?s application for promotion has been given due and thorough consideration and we can now confirm that ? subject to them carrying out the required minor improvements to their respective stadia ? both clubs will meet the standards required for the country?s elite professional competition. ?We would like to take this opportunity to wish both Leigh Centurions and Whitehaven the very best of luck for Sunday?s Grand Final which should be a gripping contest between two highly committed teams?.