TED RAWSTHORNE must have been the only player on the pitch who was happy to have picked up the usual collection of bumps and bruises after turning out for Pilks Recs U18s squad on Sunday.

The scoreline will go on record as a win for Pilks, but it also represents a massive personal victory for 16-year-old Ted who has appears to have shaken off the terrible grip of cancer.

And Ted knows all about tackling challenges head on. That same indomitable spirit that saw him square up to the threat of testicular cancer also saw him bring a towering prop forward from the opposition crashing to the deck. Popular Ted was diagnosed with cancer back in January and endured a series of hospital stays for treatment and chemotherapy sessions. Now he appears to be emerging from the nightmare.

Speaking after the match, which his side won by 26-16 against Langworthy, Ted told the Star: "It felt brilliant to be back playing again. I got a real buzz in the changing rooms before kick-off and then to get back on the field with the lads was just great.

"I've been back in training for a few months and I've been to watch some games, but it was nothing compared to playing. It's even good to get all these bumps and bruises again."

Ted, currently studying A-levels in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and PE at Rainford Sixth Form College says he is hopeful that the illness is now behind him. "I still need to go back to hospital every couple of months for checks, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything is now fine. "I've had tremendous support from my family, my friends, the rugby club and from Rainford High. People at the school really helped me get through my GCSEs," he added.

Saints skipper Chris Joynt, who knows Ted and invited him on the Saints team day out with the Liverpool Fire Service earlier in the summer, said: "Ted came with the rest of the Saints lads when we went to Liverpool. He was a real inspiration to the team and we were all impressed with his courage and bravery. He spoke with great maturity about his cancer and he is a great ambassador, especially for such a young lad."