Gillfoot Park was host to a fascinating battle between over-35s teams from Egremont and Wath Brow Hornets, all to support 11-year-old Egremont youth player Oliver Caine in his cancer battle.

The game brought together the county’s rugby league family in a massive fundraiser and two big and keen squads assembled with players including former Hull KR and Cook Island international player Leroy Joe, plus a host of former professionals such as ex-Gateshead Thunder and Doncaster player Stewart Sanderson, ex-Whitehaven stars Derry Eilbeck and Craig Calvert, former Town and Haven player Graeme Mattinson and Rob Purdham, ex-London Broncos and Harlequins.

League 1 coach of the year, Whitehaven’s Gary Charlton, helped out on the Mont bench.

More than 600 watched the match and St Helens’ Kyle Amor and Toronto Wolfpack coach Brian McDermott were in the bumper crowd that enjoyed a great game.

Kells sponsored the match ball, Lowca under-12s had already volunteered a bag pack in Morrisons, Kells under-12s and under-13s along with Wath Brow Hornets Youth were sponsors, and a host of local businesses stepped up to support Oliver and his family through his treatment in the North East.

After the game, Egremont hosted an afternoon auction of signed shirts from Wigan Warriors, St Helens, Castleford Tigers, Leeds Rhinos and Manchester City, as well as other items.

More than £15,000 was raised on the day which, added to £6,000 collected at a race night previously, making the total £21,000 so far raised for Oliver and his family.

Wath Brow’s resolute defence and pacy attack saw the visitors power to a 32-0 final score and the win and there will have been some sore bodies among the players the following morning.

Tries came from Mattinson, Sanderson, Scott Teare, Calvert, Gareth Evans and Neil Stewart, with Sanderson adding three goals and Evans getting the other.

Egremont Rangers over-35s: D Whalley, W Stainton, P Telford, A Hinde, M Thompson, G Elliott, M Beatson, M Whalley, C Murphy, S Morris, S Agnew, K Brown, D Laverick, D Telford, D Block, I Ratcliffe, A Lamb, K Thompson, G Suafoa, R Purdham, P Henson, B Walker, D Hartley, L Hoskin, A Greening, S Long, G Wilson, P Murphy, J Jackson, G Stewart.

Wath Brow Hornets over-35s: S Sanderson, C Calvert, D Eilbeck, G Clarke, J Lopez, L Joe, A Hocking, M Troughton, G Mattinson, D Pettitt, D Charlton, N Stewart, J Robinson, G Evans, A Stables, P Byers, M Connery, N McCartney, S Teare, B Taylor, D Currie, L Kelly, G Currie, C Johnstone, P Murphy, I Graffin.

Referee: Rob Scott.