RUGBY LEAGUE has rejected pleas for a change of heart over Jason Ramshaw's testimonial game.

The loyal Cougar star, pictured right, had asked them to let the game against Leeds go ahead on Sunday, February 3, as planned.

But officials at the game's Red Hall headquarters have ordered that he cannot play at the weekend - because Bradford Bulls are playing Aussie champions Newcastle Knights in the World Club Challenge two days earlier.

The 'Challenge' match is to be played at Huddersfield's McAlpine Stadium on Friday, February 1.

This week a RL spokesman told the Keighley News that they were upholding a decision of Super League that no games should be held that weekend.

"They want to keep everything sanitised that weekend so that it does not detract from the World Club Challenge," he said.

But a Super League spokesman said the decision was down to officials at Red Hall. "We don't have the power to make any decision like that, but Super League clubs voted not to play that weekend," he said.

Although the Keighley match cannot go ahead two days AFTER the Bulls game, Red Hall has given the go-ahead for a number of testimonial games - including Rammy's - to go ahead two days BEFORE the big match.

"It seems a very odd situation and I'm very disappointed, our game was planned before the date for the World Club Challenge was even fixed. People have put a lot of work in to organise the game, I hope the people of Keighley will rally round and make the match an evening to remember for everyone involved," Jason said.

n The testimonial committee have also organised a Valentine's Ball to be held at the Three Sisters Hotel, Haworth, on Friday, February 15. The evening will include a three course dinner, live entertainment and disco. Tickets are £25 available from the club.