TERRY Jones says the success of Saturday’s derby between past players took him by surprise.

A huge crowd on the touchline at Burrows Hill watched Northwich veterans outscore their Winnington Park counterparts, though few seemed sure by just how much.

“I was a speechless afterwards,” said Jones, who organised the friendly along with Bryan Johnson.

“When I walked through the tunnel of players at the end, I was a bit teary-eyed if I’m honest.

“Lots of those guys hadn’t played together before, let alone in front of so many people.

“I was humbled by how they embraced it though – it showed off rugby’s spirit, which is what we wanted to achieve.

“I might not pull on my boots again, so if that’s the last time then I’ll sign off happy.”

Jones, first team manager at Winnington, said the idea for a veterans’ derby came from a conversation with Johnson before Christmas.

He admitted he did not know if former teammates would want to take part.

“It was great to see it come together,” he said.

“One or two cried off on Saturday morning, but it was brilliant to see so many lads out on that pitch again.

“The game was played in a great spirit, and I’m just glad to have had the chance to pull on the shirt to be out there alongside them.

“We all had friends or family cheering us on, which just added to the occasion.”

Heavy rainfall overnight on Friday had threatened to spoil the party.

Early on Saturday, volunteers at Burrows Hill worked flat out to clear standing water from the playing surface.

"It was touch and go for a little while," said Jones.