IT truly was the trip of a lifetime for Warrington rugby league nuts Pete McGuinness and Dave Reid.

The pair toured New Zealand and Australia with the Great Britain Masters team, featuring in matches against national teams as well as attending England’s clash with Australia in the Rugby League World Cup Final.

And, of course, there was lots of sightseeing and ‘bonding’ in between for the Crosfields Masters players, squad mates and entourage that included their wives Phyllis and Lynda.

Reid, 54, an HGV mechanic for Royal Mail, on his first trip to Australia and McGuinness, 68, an operations manager at Halewood Jaguar, both got themselves on the score sheet while on tour.

All Masters games, for players over 35, end in a draw, with the emphasis being on sportsmanship, showing old skills and just enjoying the opportunity to still play rugby league.

This they did in droves.

They were presented with their Great Britain tour shirts by Wigan and Kiwis legend Graeme West – who also played for Warrington Rugby Union Club for a spell – and the next day they were in action at the New Zealand Masters Festival in Rotorua.

It was against Otira Trains in the opening tour game that centre Reid’s elusive swerve got him over the line at Puketawhero Park.

Ponsonby Ponies were the opponents in game two, while the following day McGuinness skippered GB Reds against New Lyn Stags – a clash that was followed by GB Golds squaring up to Mangere East Hawks.

In the opening Test match against the Kiwis, the first in Great Britain Masters history, Reid caught the eye again as a threat to the opposition line.

Then it was the Australian leg, with Test matches against the Kangaroos at Cabramatta Club in temperatures reaching 36 degrees Celcius, or 97 degrees Fahrenheit.

Former Wire favourite Bob Jackson was among the spectators.

In the GB Reds battle with Australia Reid provided an assist for a try and McGuinness got on the end of a move ahead of receiving a man-of-the- match award.

A ‘rest’ day in Sydney was followed by a long trip up to Central Coast Bulldogs where McGuinness again collected a man-of-the-match honour from the opposition.

Next day brought a visit to NRL club Penrith Panthers and a tour around their stadium and acclaimed Academy facilities, leading to a flight to Brisbane for the final leg of the tour.

In the heart of the city, at King George Square, they experienced the fan zone with VIP entry before heading to Wynnum Manly Junior Rugby League Club for their final matches against Brisbane Old Boys and New South Wales Select.

They all did their best to try and roar England to victory inside Suncorp Stadium against the Aussies in the Rugby League World Cup Final but it wasn’t to be and after a day of reflection and presentations they headed home.

“It was the stuff of dreams, especially at our age. That’s what it means to me,” said McGuinness.

“Captaining the side was something else, I never thought that would happen to me.”