THE funeral has taken place at Leigh Sacred Heart Church of former Leigh RL forward Tony Peters, aged 51.

Self-employed joiner Tony signed for Leigh in 1971 after playing for the club's junior sides then transferred to Oldham in 1973. He moved to Swinton in the late 1970s then to Merseyside ending his playing career with Runcorn.

Former Swinton captain John Cooke paid tribute to his team-mate who died last Thursday: "Tony was a good player, a hard lad and dedicated -- but he was always good for a laugh."

He leaves a wife, Kath, sons John and Anthony and a daughter, Laura.

Following the service at Sacred Heart committal was at Howe Bridge Crematorium.

Long-serving Tyldesley RUFC man Bernard Murphy has died aged 66.

For many years Tyldesley's first choice hooker, grandfather Bernard died on Saturday. He played at Well Street from the early 1950s to the mid 1970s.

He leaves a wife, Winnie and a daughter, Denise.

The funeral was at noon on Tuesday at Atherton St Richard's Church and Bernard's last wish was that he be buried in his rugby club blazer.