Keir Mather lifted Rugby League’s newest trophy at Chavasse Park this week, on the fringe of the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, following a victory for Yorkshire over Lancashire in a War of the Roses fixture arranged by the RFL and Rugby League’s All-Party Parliamentary Group.
Mather, the MP for Selby and a keen Hull KR fan, captained a White Rose team including the former Leeds Rhinos and England legend Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE and Stephanie Peacock – the MP for Barnsley South, and the Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth.
Playing down a significant slope in the first half, Yorkshire built a lead of 8 tries to 3 and held off a determined fightback by a Lancashire side led by David Baines, the MP for St Helens North and Chair of the APPRLG, and including another of the sport’s modern-day greats, Adrian Morley – with Jodie Cunningham, the St Helens and England captain, lending her support and expertise from the sidelines ahead of Sunday’s Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final against Wigan.
The match was played under Try Tag rules and was refereed by Liam Moore, taking an unorthodox break before he takes charge of the Betfred Super League Semi Final between Hull KR and St Helens this Saturday evening.
Keir Mather said: “This isn’t a time to gloat about the result – although we were delighted to secure a Yorkshire win! We all had a great time, taking a break from Conference and playing the sport we all love. There was a serious side, too, as it’s a chance for us to remind our colleagues from different parts of the country how important Rugby League is in our constituencies – the positive social impact it makes, and how much it means.”
David Baines said: “It was my honour as the Rugby League APPG Chair to take part in the game and see so many other colleagues get involved. It was Lancashire v Yorkshire, so there was no doubt that it was going to be competitive and our side is already planning how we can win back the trophy next time.
“It was a brilliant opportunity for us as MPs to promote the game we all love, particularly ahead of the Ashes Test in the great city of Liverpool later this year.
“We were delighted to be able to highlight the benefits of playing tag rugby as well as showcasing the fantastic work that RL Cares do. I was very proud to be a part of it.
“To play alongside Adrian Morley was a thrill for our Lancashire team, and I know a number of Leeds Rhinos fans in the Yorkshire team were very excited to be on the same pitch as Jamie Jones-Buchanan.
“And for Jodie Cunningham and Liam Moore to take time out of preparation for their big matches this weekend was a classic example of what makes Rugby League a special sport.
“My special thanks go to the RFL, Keir Mather and RL Cares for their organisation of it all, and I know from speaking to many MPs that they hope that this becomes an annual event.”
Tony Sutton, the RFL Chief Executive, said: “We are grateful to Keir, David, to the Minister for Sport and to all the other MPs who were involved in a memorable occasion – not only for playing in the match, but for the support they consistently offer to Rugby League in their constituencies, and the corridors of power. It felt like a real celebration of the sport, and I’d also like to thank the RFL’s development team, our Rugby League Cares colleagues and the staff of Liverpool ONE for allowing us to put on such an enjoyable event.”
Other MPs who played in the match included:
Yorkshire – Jade Botterill (Ossett and Denby Dale), Kim Leadbeater (Spen Valley), Mark Sewards (Leeds South West and Morley), Alex Sobel (Leeds Central and Headingley), Harpreet Uppal (Huddersfield), Chris Vince (Harlow). (and David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire), Alex McIntyre (Gloucester)
Lancashire – Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth), Andrew Cooper (Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich), Charlotte Nichols (Warrington North), Jo Platt (Leigh and Atherton), Oliver Ryan (Burnley), Josh Simons (Makerfield), Michael Wheeler (Worsley and Eccles)
