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Stars Go Head-To-Head Before Magic Weekend
Written by Newcastle Utd
Peter Beardsley, John Beresford and Rob Lee took on three of Rugby League's stars in a unique challenge ahead of the Magic Weekend at St. James' Park
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
Magic Weekend comes to St. James' Park on Saturday and Sunday, and last week a trio of Newcastle legends took on some of Rugby League's star names at their own game.
Peter Beardsley, John Beresford and Rob Lee went head-to-head with Jon Wilkin of St. Helens, Marc Sneyd of Hull FC and Jack Owens of Widnes Vikings in a sporting challenge in the shadow of the Millennium Bridge.
With five inflatable rugby ball-shaped targets in the River Tyne to aim for, the event was organised by Super League sponsors First Utility to raise money for charity and promote Magic Weekend, which will see all 12 Super League sides in action during the two-day spectacular.
Wilkin gave the Rugby League players the lead, but Beresford levelled before Sneyd restored the advantage for the experts.
However, Lee and Beresford put the footballers ahead before Wilkin and Owens gave the Super League stars a 4-3 victory. More importantly, with £250 on offer for every target hit, a total of £1,750 was raised for the NSPCC.
"Myself, Rob and John were pleased to put some of the stars of the First Utility Super League through their paces," said Beardsley.
"It's great that Magic Weekend is coming to Newcastle and St. James' Park. This is a sport-mad, passionate city and every player in every team will not forget their experience here come the end of May."
Magic Weekend has previously been staged in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Manchester and Rugby League fans from around the country are expected to converge in their thousands to watch the action at St. James' Park.