Dewsbury Legends roll back the years

Players and staff from the Dewsbury Legends side and the Great Britain All Stars admitted it was one of the best events they’ve participated in.

Dewsbury’s record all-time points scorer Nigel Stephenson, a member of the 1973 Championship winning side, took great pleasure in kicking the game off.

The game was a fast flowing encounter with some great skills on show.

It ended in a 16-16 draw and both teams are already looking forward to next year’s rematch.

Darren Rogers was due to play for the Legends but ended up turning out for Great Britain and he scored two interception tries, another familiar face, Francis Maloney, also scored for the All Stars, along with Martin Pearson,

Paul Delaney had an excellent game for the Legends and sent Chris Squires through a gap following a fine passing move.

Although Squires had winger Dennis Bailey on the outside, he kept hold of the ball and scored himself.

Jimmy Elston picked up a loose ball and raced 70-yards before producing an elaborate dive over the try line, while Richard Pachniuk and Tim Toole were the other Legends scorers.

The club would like to thank all the former Dewsbury players for giving their time and also to the GB All Stars for agreeing to be part of the event.

James Stephenson, who was thrust into the coaching role for the Dewsbury Legends, said: “It was greatly satisfying to see all the hard work over the past couple of months come together in such a successful and enjoyable day, although it was quite daunting having to decide which of my childhood heroes would start and who would sub.

“Some of the bodies may not be up to it any more but players of that calibre never lose their skill.”