From derbies to festivals, there’s been plenty of Masters Rugby League action so far this month. Last weekend (October 15) saw the North East Masters Festival held as part of Newcastle’s ‘Squads on the Tyne’ project, in conjunction with the start of the Rugby League World Cup.
Players from Leeds Masters, Blackpool Masters, Haresfinch, Ossett, Catterick and Carlisle joined Arlecdon, Barrow and North East Masters to make the festival happen – a full day of highly skilled Rugby League was on show with the games played in the phenomenal spirit we see so often in the Masters game, as Terry Mellor and Tom Harrison’s refereeing displays helped contribute to a greatly successful event.
Barrow centre Lee Neatis was awarded the Masters Moment award, after he ran through for an exceptional try – or so he thought – as he put the ball down five metres short of the tryline! It was Arlecdon gold-shorter John Wilson who was crowned Master of the Day, after coupling an excellent defensive display with plenty of lung-busting runs with the ball in hand.
Saturday’s festival followed an enthralling display of Masters Rugby League from the weekend prior (October 8), where Hull Masters took on Hull Warriors in the derby – there was another local matchup elsewhere in Yorkshire, as Dewsbury Celtic hosted Thornhill. Across the Irish Sea, Ulster Blues Masters met Belfast Baldeagles.
As the eyes of the world are on RLWC2021, Masters Rugby League does not stop – the arrival of international Masters teams is on the horizon, as we edge closer to the Masters International Festival in York next month that will see England meet Australia, Canada, France, Ireland and Wales.
