HEWORTH ARLC over-35s have played their first official Masters match having welcomed their Hull Dockers counterparts to Elmpark Way.

The Villagers became the second York club to launch such a team, following on from York Lokomotive.

Dockers, who had played three times previously, grew through the game and scored two tries late on - though the sides came together at the end and declared a 0-0 draw.

Steve Towse, the Heworth manager, said: "This has been a long time in the making. We had a game against Leeds cancelled in November due to waterlogging, so it was great to finally get our Masters journey underway.

"Hull gave us a strong test and the lads played great. We've brought a team of players together who otherwise would have hung up their boots. I'd recommend it to any club."

Masters rugby league - which features rule modifications to reduce the risk of injury but is designed to maintain a competitive game and a strong social spirit - is for players of any age over 35, with plenty of over-60s taking part given the tackling rules in place.

Players aged 35 to 40 wear white shorts and can be tackled under normal full contact rules, likewise players aged 40 to 50 in black shorts, albeit with only two opponents allowed in a tackle.

Players aged 50 to 60 wear red shorts and cannot be tackled to ground but rather have their progress stopped, while those over 60, in gold shorts, can only be touch-tackled.

The Heworth versus Dockers match, competitive but played in Masters spirit, saw the hosts dominate early on without reaching the whitewash.

Both sides were relatively young so the game was physical and fast-paced, but experienced referee Paul Field kept everyone in check. Dockers had the edge at the end but the Villagers showed enough to suggest they will be a challenge for most teams.