Greg Mulholland MP, Member of Parliament for Leeds North West and Chair of the Parliamentary Rugby League Group was part of the Great Britain side who defeated Australia in the over 35s international in Warrington on Saturday, 12th July.
Greg was part of the 20 man squad that wore the famous Great Britain white shirt with the red and blue ‘V’ and played much of the match at second row and centre. The team won one try to none at Crosfields, Warrington on Saturday – though in the spirit of Masters it was of course nil-nil!
In doing so, Greg became the first MP to play for his country at rugby league.
Masters rugby is a version of the sport played by over 35s and has in recent years become very popular. Players wear different coloured shorts depending on their age, but being under 45, Greg at 43 played full contact tackling and despite the game being a friendly, it was uncompromising in the second half.
Greg is Club Captain of the Political Animals, and also plays when he can for his local club, Leeds Akkies who are based in Cookridge, north Leeds, at Old Modernians sports club.
Greg joined Leeds Akkies team mate and fellow winger Keith Hill and Gary Nugent and Carl Wilson from Leeds Masters all in the squad, meaning Leeds was very well represented in the victorious team, with Leeds Masters Nugent being named man of the match.
Commenting, Greg Mulholland MP, said,
“It was a huge honour for me to represent my country and to wear the famous Great Britain shirt was something I will never forget.
“To play against Australia in their iconic green and gold shirts is the ultimate challenge in rugby league and to beat them and indeed stop them scoring was a great result. The determination of the Great Britain team was etched on all our faces and we pushed our bodies as hard as we could and together did our country proud! After the game I felt every one of my 43 years but every bruise and ache was worth it!
“Masters rugby league is always played in a great spirit and Saturday was no different though at times it was uncompromising. Masters is a fantastic form of rugby league that enables us older players to carry on playing long after we thought we’d have hung up our boots. I am sure as a game it will go from strength to strength on both sides of the world and I thank the Australians for coming over here and hope the rest of their tour is a enjoyable one”.
