England rugby league team

ST HELENS star Matty Lees left in the middle of Saturday’s crunch play-off clash against Leeds Rhinos.

Rugby league fans were left gobsmacked when they saw Lees, 27, making his way out of the AMT Headingley Stadium during half-time.

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The prop left in his tracksuit while Saints were trailing 12-6 to the home side.

However, it was quickly reported by Sky Sports that the England international had received news that his wife Beth was going into labour.

Fans quickly took to social media to wish the happy couple all the best.

One rugby league enthusiast tweeted: “Good luck Matty, see you next week.”

Another commented: “Fair play to him.”

A third wrote: “Good luck.”

This fan said: “All the best!”

And that one wished: “Wishing you and Beth absolute happiness.”

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St Helens managed to fight back in the second half and went on to turn things around with a 16-14 victory.

Lees has been a pivotal figure for Saints this season, missing only two Super League games.

St Helens coach Paul Wellens revealed the baby wasn’t due before Sunday but had an agreement with his player that if things changed he would be allowed to leave.

Wellens said after the game with the Rhinos: “His partner was due to be induced tomorrow but things transpired [differently].

“You can’t have a word with the baby inside and ask it just to hold off for a few hours, so things gathered pace quicker than thought.

“I spoke with Matty in the week and it was really important that he’s there for the birth of his child.

“It’s an important rugby game and yes we’d love him to be there, but he makes sacrifices to perform for us and the most important thing is he was there.

“We had a very clear plan during the week and we were comfortable that if he had to leave, he would leave. When that moment came, we made what I feel is the right decision.

“It’s difficult for him in that situation. You need to be there for your partner, but at the same time you think you’re letting the boys down.

“He needs to know he’s not letting the boys down, because he never does.”

MARK Percival believes St Helens are proving talk is not always cheap, especially when it comes from within.

For a frank discussion is proving the moment their season turned a corner.

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Just over three months ago, boss Paul Wellens was getting all kinds of stick as the former four-time Super League and World Club champions floundered.

Now after nine wins in 11 matches, Saints are firmly in the race for a top three finish and defeating rivals Wigan tonight would put them in contention for second.

And centre Percival can pinpoint the moment the tide started to turn – and the real St Helens started showing up.

He said: “About 12 weeks ago, we all had a good sit down – I think it was after the Warrington game – and a chat.

“I’ve been part of this club for 12 years and I’d not had a chat like that for a long time. It wasn’t nice at the time, a lot of honest things were said.

“But I think it really did turn the corner for us. Since then, everyone’s bought into what we want to do.

“Everyone knows St Helens as a club – we play tough but also play smart. We lost that a bit. We were trying to beat teams by going out there and expecting it to happen.

“We wanted it easy at the time but over the last 12 weeks, we’ve relearned how hard it is.

“We beat Wakefield by a few points but everyone said it was harder than it seems. That’s because we were putting in the effort we were supposed to.

“And you feel for the coach sometimes when they’re copping the stick. It was to do with us on the field if I’m honest. We had a good enough team out there, but we weren’t performing.”

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St Helens and Wigan would be a fierce derby if they were playing tiddlywinks, never mind rugby league.

Throw in competition for England places against Australia and you have even more reason to perform, especially at centre.

As well as Percival, you have Saints’ Harry Robertson and Wigan’s Jake Warde battling it out as the 31-year-old admits one of those roles is taken if Herbie Farnworth is fit.

He added: “There are a lot of good players in my position. Harry, myself and Jake out there tonight.

“I know what I can do but I see the likes of Herbie and Jake as absolutely brilliant players. No-one’s getting in over Herbie, he’s probably the best centre in the world.

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“And I hope he’s fit for England’s sake.

“Harry’s superb and it’s kept me on my toes as we’ve players coming up who are athletic, strong, brilliant.

“Every club has a transition period. A few years ago, we had all that success but you lose players who won all that.

“Now we’re trying to build that team again and over the next few years, with the young lads we’ve got, it can get back to that as they’ve the ability to do it.”

MICKY Higham sat down with his two sons and spelled it out after receiving the news he dreaded – this time will be different.

For years, the hooker rolled the blows in a career that saw him play for Leigh, Wigan, Warrington and St Helens.

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He toughed it out against the very best for England and Great Britain. This battle, though, is off the field.

Noticing a lump on his right buttock turned out to be something much more serious – a 10cm cancerous tumour, with tests finding the disease had spread and the devastating diagnosis of stage four widespread metastasized cancer.

And the pain caused this time around is far more significant after it returned, three years after fighting off a metastatic malignant melanoma.

“Originally, I just kept it really low key,” said Higham, who has started immunotherapy treatment. “I said, ‘Lads, I’ve just found another lump. I’ll have to get it sorted next time.’

“Harry, my eldest, is 21 in January and they’re not stupid. He got wind.

“So I sat them down last Sunday and said, ‘Listen, it’s going to be a bit worse this time fellas. I just need to give your mum some help around the house.’

“I’m not missing them playing rugby, Harry at Swinton and Alex for Leigh Miners Rangers. I’m not missing that as they’re a big reason why I keep fighting and going.

“I found a small lump on my right bum cheek. I had an issue with my toe too and thought, ‘It’s a bit sore. I might just have a bit of a knock.’

“So I left it a week or two, then I thought, ‘The pain’s a bit more.’ It went down my leg a bit, so I felt the lump again and thought, ‘It doesn’t feel like a knock. That feels really hard.’

“I told my doctor and he said, ‘Let’s get it checked in after the last time.’ It was a cancerous tumour on my right glute, then I had some more scans.

“A PET scan really showed up the melanoma. It’s come to the shoulders, it’s in my arms, my hips. It’s come to my legs.

“It’s in my chest, my groins and in my lymph nodes. It was a pretty widespread and stage four, so it was a real kick in the teeth.

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“I’m quite shocked how quick the pain’s come on. Each week, you’re like, ‘Wow, it’s coming on more there.’

“This one’s a tougher battle, but I’m ready to attack it. I’ve never had anything given to me in life and I’ve always had to work hard for things.

“I may be struggling a bit but I’m ready for it.”

Higham, 44, is keeping up the traits that saw him through his last cancer battle – his relaxation and his determination.

The pain means he has had to step back from the gym he owns and radio punditry duties for the time being – but if you think he is sat at home moping, think again.

He has already sorted the first event as he looks to raise funds – with a target of £50,000 just beaten after £25,000 then £40,000 was met.

A bucket collection was held outside and inside the ground at Friday’s match between two of his former clubs – the Leopards and Wolves – while Leigh owner Derek Beaumont has launched a special fundraising shirt.

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Higham will also walk from his hometown of Leigh to the Monton area of Salford on Sunday, August 24 and typically, the thought of doing it for others is at the forefront of his mind.

“I want to give something back to the Christie and Macmillan because for the last three years they’ve been fantastic,” Higham added.

“My pain was quite severe last week but they just said, ‘Come in, we’ll check you out. We’ll change your medication and provide some relief, literally within days.

“I can’t really put into words the work they do. I’m not one for shouting but sometimes you’ve got to get on board, don’t you?”

Higham’s condition and treatment under Manchester’s Christie Hospital means he can see the toll it is taking on wife Kate.

After the last cancer fight, it is something he did nit want to see again – but just like him, she is doing her bit as he looks to get on a European drug trial after being turned down for a UK one.

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He told SunSport: “I obviously had a big setback with that. To get on a clinical trial, I had to have my blood done.

“All the enzymes have got to be pretty level with everybody and mine are a lot higher than everybody else. I was told it could be down to being a sportsperson over the years.

“To give myself the best chance of getting it down, I did Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and didn’t move off the couch.

“Unfortunately, it was still too high but even though Kate’s doing it tougher than me, she and her friend have been having a good look around and there is something.

“Because I’ve got my immuno now, every three weeks for the next four months, it’s 12 weeks and they’ll re-scan me.

“The immuno might do the job but if not, we might look at the option if there’s something available there.”

*YOU can donate to the fundraising appeal for Micky Higham at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/emma-worrall-2.

Despite playing girl’s football for years, watching England vs Italy in the Euros semi final was my first ever women’s game, and it was not what I expected

I played football way before it was even a professional sport for women in the UK, and yet shamefully had never been to watch a single game of women’s football.

So, when Geneva Tourism presented the opportunity to go to Geneva and watch the Lionesses play in the Euro’s semi-final, it was a no-brainer.

It’s rare you get to watch a football game set against the backdrop of the French mountains, whilst standing in Switzerland, but that was the beauty of seeing the lionesses play at Stade de Genève. A beautiful stadium for the beautiful game.

Seemingly now football fans, including myself, are realising the Lionesses have so much to offer to lovers of the sport and the team are certainly giving them plenty to celebrate.

I went into the stadium with an open mind, a buzz in the air, and an excitement to get to know how it feels to support a team that has a high chance of walking away with a win.

I must admit, I didn’t expect there to be as much atmosphere from the spectators in the crowd as there was but as stands packed out with fans of all genders, flags hung high, drums banging, and trumpets blaring there was a different kind of ambience.

This crowd was far less rowdy, less cruel to the opposition—seemingly less drunk too—but by no means did they lack that very same passion that drives any English football club.

When it came to the game itself, the standout thing I couldn’t help but notice, and albeit could just be down to the intensity of this semi-final, is these players love to get handsy. The women on the pitch couldn’t help but foul left, right, and centre, and that goes for both sides.

I’ve never seen so many near yellow cards, hands being grabbed and players being shoved, sneaky pulls on shirts, and cheeky tripping over than I have in any other game of football.

It proved these Lionesses have just as much, if not more grit, aggression, and daring streak than the male players I’ve been watching my entire life. Although it did have me cringing anytime a corner was taken – hoping and praying that we wouldn’t foul inside the box.

For years, as a fan of football, I did feel a sense of awkwardness within me, in both the pubs and at the games, feeling I couldn’t fully involve myself in the chaos.

It almost felt as though this was a game that belonged to the men and I was just merrily passing through. I didn’t feel welcome to join in with the celebrations and the cheering because often, I didn’t feel safe to.

But standing there in Geneva watching the Lionesses, it really did feel like it was everyone’s game and one that I could be a part of. I hugged the woman I just met when we watched a fresh-on-the-pitch 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang score that first goal.

We collectively drank wine (yes, outside in the stands, can you believe it) and talked game play with fellow fans and it felt like a place where my version of football belonged.

While I won’t be there to see the Lionesses take on Spain in the Euros final, I will be standing firmly in a pub, wine in hand, cheering along.

There’s no doubt I will also be guilty of screaming ‘REF’ at the TV even when it’s clear we did in fact foul, because let’s face it, there was a lot of that happening.