The Legends Return - an annual event?

Legends Game likely to become an Annual Fixture ?

The 2009 game at Heywood Road entitled 'The Legends Return' was a spectacular event in aid of Steve Hanley's Testimonial. It went so well that Steve set up another day on June 12th, 2010, inviting a 'Help for Heroes' XV to face the Legends. Proceeds were split between the 'Help for Heroes' and the Sharks' Academy. All the signs are that this June reunion could now become a regular feature on the calendar!

Here's a report on the 2010 game:

The Legends sparkle in 100-point spectacular Sunday, June 13th 2010 The 'Good Old Days' returned to Heywood Road on a gloriously sunny afternoon as the Sale Legends entertained a 'Help for Heroes' XV. Outscoring their willing opponents by thirteen tries to three, the great names provided conclusive evidence that class is permanent. The shorts may feel tighter round some enlarged waistlines, the rest periods may be longer, but the offloading skills, support play and positional awareness were a delight to see, particularly in contrast to the dire fare that had been beamed in from Perth earlier in the day. Barry Stewart, Stuart Turner and Jos Baxendell looked as though they had never retired from senior rugby, whilst Dave Erskine showed the value of regular squash to keep the body in trim. A pleasant surprise was the form and energy of new Sandbach coach Simon Verbickas. A young legend, Lancashire captain Matt Riley, ran in two tries as did the original record breaking hero himself, Steve Hanley, who scored the first in his favourite corner near the 'Little B' car park. Rolling substitutions kept energy and tryscoring levels high, with the Legends running up a 38-7 half time lead, thanks to tries from Steve Hanley, Jos Baxendell, Chris Saverimutto, Barrie-Jon Mather and Matt O'Regan. Heroes prop Colin Smith scored a fine try in reply, Parry converting. After the break, the tries kept coming, from Joe Clark - his first ever for the club (?) after a storming run - Dylan O'Grady, Matt Riley, Rob Worsfold, Steve Hanley and two from Simon Mason, once of Orrell and now turning out for Anselmians against Sale FC. For the visitors, Chris Ramwell produced a fine juggling effort to score, and Gareth Parry added a third try to go with his two conversions. The Legends had a variety of successful conversions, from Saverimutto (3), Davidson, Riley (2), one of the Heroes and even referee Trevor Fisher! Final score 81-19 in a match greeted by warm appreciation from a sizeable crowd, with not a vuvuzela to be heard. As misty-eyed rugby romantics reluctantly left Heywood Road, the organisers were still counting, but it was reported that over £4000 had been raised for the Academy and 'Help for Heroes' at the second Legends game, and that this looks like becoming an annual event. Squads: Legends - Steve Davidson, Matt Riley, Rob Worsfold, Simon Mason, Steve Hanley, Simon Verbickas, Jos Baxendell, Barrie-Jon Mather, Richard Spencer, Steve Hudson, Tom Hodgson, Matt O'Regan, Chris Saverimutto, Stuart Turner, Steve Diamond (capt), Barry Stewart, Danny Williamson, Luke Hewson, Mike Armstrong, Joe Clark, Dave Erskine, John Fowler, Andy Morris, Dylan O'Grady. Heroes- Dean Hammett, Keith Boardman, Isikelituitubou Koroisamanunu, Chris Ramwell, Taniela Ratu, Dean Morgan, Steve Jermy, Gareth Parry, Dave McKervail, Shane Gascoigne, Colin Smith, Jason Lowe, Grant Renton, Alan Tindale (capt), Kieran Burke, Gary Thomson, Steve Dobie, Michael Carron, Ian Maller, Kevin Simpson, Edward Dunlop. Referee- Trevor Fisher. Touch Judges - James & Tim Brown. What they said and where are they now? Barry Stewart: "I'm stockbroking in Edinburgh, not playing, not really watching rugby. Northampton Saints? They must have made the right decision to get rid of me for a youth policy! Jim's doing very well there." Stuart Turner: "I've had a very good season with Caldy - we finished third. I enjoyed it - only lost four games. We've got some good players. Next season, I'm not playing, I'm Head Coach." Chris Saverimutto: "I'm back on the Wirral. Rugby wise, I'm not doing much - just the odd invitation to games like today. I try to keep fit. We've had a couple of good trips lately: Dubai for the Classic Lions and South Africa in the Summer." Joe Clark: "No rugby for me. I work with Young Offenders at Rawtenstall. They have emotional and behavioural difficulties - it's a challenge I enjoy and they keep me fit!" John Fowler: "A current Saracens coach Alex Sanderson is here to day, and it was against Sarries that I suffered major injury in '97. I tell people it was Francois Pienaar but it was actually Kyran Bracken! I work in an internet sports site, still living in the same place. Go along to Sale Sharks occasionally - not as much as I'd like. I hope it's going to be a big season." Dave Erskine: "Still working in Manchester, living in Altrincham. A regular supporter of Sale Sharks. I play squash for Sale FC at Heywood Road, keeping the pounds off and meeting fitness levels. It's great to be back - hopefully this will be a regular fixture." Barrie-Jon Mather: "I'm back in Manchester working for the Rugby League, based in Leeds, but I travel round the clubs. It keeps me busy, looking after the pathway so that all professional clubs have scholarships in their Academies and look after their Junior Internationals. A few of the lads I worked with at London Irish, such as Corbs (Alex Corbisiero) and Tommy Hamer are doing really well. They're really good - it's not down to me!" Simon Verbickas: "You can't beat being down here - lovely ground, lovely day. I've moved clubs to coach at Sandbach - only a two minute walk from home. Sandbach are looking to go a little bit more along a professional route on the field. They've a good clubhouse, have spent a lot of money on their pitches, and want the rugby to be more consistent. Some younger players have come through for the Sharks, it's a good production line, and I hope they'll be able to come back and help out. We'd like good links between Sandbach, Sale FC and Sharks." Matt Riley (one of the younger Legends!): "Winning for Lancashire was a nice weekend and to be captain was a great experience. Good of Jonny Roddam to go away on the booze! I enjoyed today - all for a good cause!" Dylan O'Grady: "I love all these occasions, and it's good for Sale FC too. We've a few new players at Altrincham Kersal, and hope to take the next step up. If you don't want promotion, you should step aside and let someone else have a go." Alan Tinsdale (Heroes captain): "We always knew we'd be up against it, given the lineup they had. We get drafted in at 'Help for Heroes' - with one exception,we're all serving soldiers. This is a team of old mates, and was our first time together in a H4H game. Perhaps we need to pick our opposition a bit more wisely! The common bond, as in rugby, is friendship. We came up from Cirencester today, with one guy who flew in from Germany to play!" Steve Hanley: "Another good day, with the sun shining. The boys are back! A big shout for the Army lads, who kept going to the end. Class always comes through, though."