RHYL and District Rugby Club played host to a special event at their impressive new facility.

Rugby League stars from across the country for a Masters mini tournament, which took place on Saturday, July 27 at Ty Newydd Fields.

Masters Rugby League is a game for those aged 35 and over, and the laws of the game apply except for amendments made by the governing bodies.

It was the first time North Wales Buccaneers had held the annual event at Rhyl due to their usual base becoming unavailable, and the tournament featured the likes of Leyland Warriors, Blackpool and Cardiff Blue Dragons making the long trip for the competition.

There were also several individual players who made the journey across including Kevin Ward from London, Ed Murray from New Ravens Masters (Birmingham) and Ray Timson from Sunderland.

North Wales Rugby League representative Brian Johnson, who came along just to support the festival and watch the games, was persuaded to get involved out on the pitch, playing for the first time in 29 years.

To cap a fantastic day of Masters Rugby League, the event also saw the very first game between two Welsh teams; North Wales Buccaneers and Cardiff Blue Dragons Masters.

Both team organisers, Cardiff’s Chris Thomas and Buccaneers’ Ryan Roberts, were as one as they praised all the players and were both thrilled by the occasion.

Thomas, said: “All the Cardiff boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves for their first venture up North.

“There was some fantastic Rugby played by all and all in the true spirit of Masters.”

Try of the day was definitely by Blackpool’s Wayne Bridges, guesting for Cardiff, who rounded the Leyland defensive line, drew the full back and somehow beat him to go in to score a superb try in the corner after an 80 yard run.