Match Report 2006

Date: 06/05/2006, 2pm (Norton Playing Fields)

One of the most positive aspects of university sport is the friendships made through competition.

Relationships forged both in battle and on the Juice dance floor tend to last far longer than the Thursday morning hangover.

This was exemplified last Saturday (May 6) at the annual Sheffield University Rugby League Old Boys.

Sponsored once again by cheapboilers.com, the record number of graduates returning this year dictated that for the first time in more than 25 years of the event, the old boys were split into three teams to compete with the current first team in a four team tournament.

Pre-tournament favourites – the most recent graduates – quickly found the pace of the current team too hot to handle with ex-Warrington player Ged Moore and Sheffield Hawks playmaker Tom Gray guiding their side to a first victory.

Organiser Andy Gwilliam found his side depleted and crashed to defeat in all three games, Phil Barnett posting his side’s only score.

The oldest of old boys teams featured newly elected Wakefield councillor John Sharp and boasting a large and physical team, finished in third place.

After three gruelling group games, the young graduates recovered their form and a little pride to make the final.

However, despite impressive efforts from man of the tournament Matt Barker and Kieran Shanahan, it was game too far against the more enthusiastic current team, who lifted the inaugural CheapBoilers.com trophy.

Another notable aspect of the day was the refereeing of Fred Lindop whose last official match was the 1988 Challenge Cup final, and who played an instrumental role in setting up the club in 1970.

Mr Lindop showed he had lost none of his authority by sending off Paul Randall for persistent back chat in one of the day's more amusing incidents.

Organiser Mr Gwilliam said afterwards: "It was a great day, and the event is growing year on year. Rugby League was the real winner."

Man of the Tournament

Matt Barker, as selected by Fred Lindop

Pictures

Here's a small number of pictures from the game.