THE pettiness of sports fans is always a great source of amusement to me writes Chris Hall

I'm always amazed by the sacrifices they will endure to back 'their' club and how easily they sense an injustice over the most trivial matters.

And believe me, rugby league fans are no exception.

On the eve of St Helens' most important clash of the season -- Saturday's Challenge Cup semi-final clash with Leeds Rhinos -- the real buzz around that part of Lancashire is over a chimney!

As a show of support for their sporting heroes, local glassmakers Pilkingtons decided in their wisdom to paint their factory's domineering 100-foot edifice in red and white.

Unfortunately, rather than decorate the tower in the traditional Saints colours of white with a red V, they took the easier option of straightforward red and white stripes -- the shirt colours of bitter rivals Wigan.

Warriors fans may laugh at the furore over St Helens' skyline but they are no better.

There is growing unrest among their passionate aficionados that JJB Sports, the company born and made great in Wigan and also the club's biggest sponsors, have lavish wall displays in their St Helens branches depicting famous Saints triumphs -- some even against Wigan!

Shocking stuff!

I just hope all these vital issues don't have an adverse effect on the players when they take to the field bidding for a second successive derby final this weekend.

With both sides struggling to put any sort of Super League form together, the chances of another Wigan-Saints final look slim.

But if the players fight as passionately over every tackle as their fans do over every grievance, then they must be in with a shout.