Rugby league: Ste McDermott helps BARLA U23s Lions open tour of Ukraine in style

Jun 25 2009 Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

STE McDermott of Halton Simms Cross helped BARLA U23s Lions to open their tour of Ukraine in style as they defeated Moscow Vereya Bears 36-22.

The team went on to comfortably beat Ukraine’s national team 38-20 although the prolific Widnes hooker did not feature.

The tour follows a hugely successful season for McDermott, who was named Widnes ARL’s open ageplayer of the year as his Mark Norris North West Counties League club won a handful of major honours.

Before leaving, he thanked all who have made it possible for him to undertake the international tour but particularly Widnes Amateur Rugby League, Widnes Bowling Club, Halton Corporation Club, Halton Simms Cross ARLFC, Fairview Windows, Grundy’s Skip Hire, Brian Murphy, George Swain, Kenny Murphy, Frank Malloy and Kath Middlehurst.

Ex-Warrington RL and BARLA international tourist Frank Malloy has been named as first-team coach at Simmies – in succession to multi-award winning boss Rob Shone who stepped down at the end of the season.

Ex-Widnes, Leigh and Leeds wingman Phil Fox is the new assistant.

Second-team coach for the coming season will be Kieron Kavanagh with Mike Palmer helping out alongside Keith Murphy.