Rugby League: Final prize for Betts

Denis Betts will leave Britain after Wigan's Premiership final on Sunday as the game's reigning Player of the Year. The 25-year-old Great Britain second row, was named last night as the Stones Bitter Man of Steel, the code's most valued individual award.

Betts, who leaves for the Auckland Warriors next week, collected a cheque for £4,000 and an engraved decanter at the awards dinner in Manchester last night, marking an outstanding farewell season at Central Park.

Both Andy Farrell, voted Young Player of the Year for the second successive season, and Betts are struggling to be fit for the final against Leeds at Old Trafford. Betts has an ankle injury while Farrell is recovering from a pelvic problem.

Newcastle will announce today if they are apply for membership of the new Super League. If United do decide to put in an application, it will be examined by the RL board of directors at their meeting today.

Paul Loughlin, the former Great Britain centre, has signed a new two- year contract with St Helens.

OTHER STONES BITTER AWARDS: Coach of the year: Graham West (Wigan). First Division Player of the year: Bobby Goulding (St Helens). Second Division Player of the year: Nick Pinkney (Keighley Cougars). Referee of the year: Russell Smith.