RUGBY league players from two former rivals came together to celebrate the life of one of their own in special Masters event at Redwaters.

It is a decade since Roose and Holker Pioneers last played against each other as separate clubs prior to merging, but more than 50 former players were reliving the glory days of the two teams in memory of Will Richardson.

Richardson was a renowned player for Holker Pioneers, Roose Pioneers and latterly Barrow Masters, with a number of his former team-mates putting on this event to help raise money for charity as well.

As with all Masters matches – a modified format of rugby league for players aged 35 and over – the score was officially recorded as a 0-0 draw and the success of the day delighted organisers.

"It was a fantastic day," said Roose Pioneers chairman Shaun McPoland. "We had over 50 players there for the two teams, so it was a good turn out.

"It was good for the Roose and Holker players because it's 10 years since we last played a game against each other as Roose and Holker Pioneers.

"There wasn't a great deal of rivalry – that's not the Masters thing and that was explained to all by the referee beforehand! That's mainly for protecting people because we're all getting on a bit now!"

In total, more than £4,000 was raised for the two charities chosen by Richardson's family, the Bluebell Foundation and the North West Air Ambulance.

The money was raised through sponsorship, a raffle and auction on the day, along with donations from those in attendance.