With the National Masters Rugby League Festival set for action on Saturday 3 September in Blackpool, many teams are taking this weekend off in preparation for what will be the largest Masters gathering of the year.
There are still some teams taking to the field, though, as Bury take on Rylands whilst Boothstown meet Underbank on Saturday (August 27).
Last weekend’s set of fixtures (August 20) saw a number of triple-header games and a charity game where York Lokos welcomed Hull Masters – a game that saw an incredible figure of over £1000 raised for Dementia UK and Marie Curie.
York Locos’ organiser and player Leigh Scott reflected on a hugely successful day: “It was great! We raised a lot of money and all subs from both sides were also donated. It could not have gone better!”
Last weekend’s action preceded an exciting announcement this week: the England Masters Rugby League squad for the International Masters Festival in York on Sunday 13 November, as Masters squads from Australia, Canada, France, Ireland and Wales are all welcomed.
The twenty-strong England squad, comprised of players from twenty different clubs from around the country, is listed below:
- Carl Abraham – Rochdale Masters
- John Allen – Chester Gladiators
- David Barley – Normanton Knights
- Michael Brook – Guiseley Rangers
- Allan Dunham – Hull Warriors
- Paul Evans – Rebels
- Pascal Garrard – Solent Spitfires
- Neil Gavaghan – Blackpool
- Craig Hogan-Farnworth – Leyland Warriors
- Peter Kearney – Ryland Sharks
- David Livesey – Barrow & District
- Stephen Lowrie – Aldershot & Fleet
- David Moore – Carlisle
- Carl Oakes – Doncaster Toll Bar
- Lee O’Bridge – Kippax
- Frank Ralph – Siddal
- Andy Shute – Weetwood Rhinos
- George Taylor – North East
- Paul Wilde – Spring View
- Michael Wood – Castleford
