The Nathan Cubitt Trust will be boosted by about £3,400 thanks to a star-studded over-35s rugby union match.

Veterans, including former Bradford Bulls ace Robbie Paul and dual-code international John Bentley, attracted some 600 fans to Bradford Salem in a game which also marked the official opening of the Heaton club’s £48,000 floodlights.

Nathan, who was seriously injured last November playing for Keighley against Bradford & Bingley in an under-17 match, was there in person with his family to watch a Bradford Invitation XV defeat a Keighley Invitation XV 24-14.

Money was raised via admission charges, a raffle and the programme, as well as advertisements within the programme.

Bradford & Bingley director of rugby Colin Stephens, a former Welsh international fly half, was the star of the show with three tries for Bradford.

But Paul’s twinkling feet were much in evidence and Keighley winger Micky Phillips also shone with two tries, Johnny Harrison also showing many neat touches Keighley played a full part in a match of no little skill and plenty of commitment and match organiser Paul Rae revealed: “Salem’s first-team prop John Bradbury said ‘that was the hardest 15 minutes I have had all season’.”

Rae added: “The one thing we couldn’t organise beforehand was the weather but it was a superb evening and the crowd was the biggest I have seen at the ground in all the 25 years I have been there – and that includes our matches in the Provincial Cup on the way to Twickenham.

“Also it was nice that 95 per cent of the players paid to come in, which all helped Nathan, and the only ones who didn’t happened because they arrived before the gatemen.

“Robbie had loads of photographs taken and signed loads of items, and John Bentley was great too.

“It was also wonderful that Nathan was there. It was the first time that I have met him and his family and it was good that his uncle played in the match (Bradford & Bingley forwards coach Ronnie Kelly).

“We will have to discuss it in our committee but maybe we can do something similar next season for him – perhaps have a round-robin tournament with 20-minute matches between three or four teams.” Nathan was introduced to the crowd at the end of the game and was presented with a framed England shirt by former international Scott Benton, who could not play because of a broken hand.

Sue Cubitt – Nathan’s mum, who was there with her husband Matthew – said: “It has been a fantastic night, just phenomenal, and the organisation has been brilliant. Nathan is doing as well as can be expected.”

The teenager, who has no feeling in his lower limbs and only limited movement in his arms, is being supported in other financial ways.

Yarnbury’s John Riley announced at the weekend that receipts from the Aire-Wharfe Cup final, which are normally split between the finalists, will be going to the Nathan Cubitt Trust.

Cleckheaton have already had a bucket collection in their under-17 match against Bradford & Bingley and Baildon, while there will also be a bucket collection in Cleckheaton’s home first-team derby against Old Crossleyans on Saturday.

Keighley Invitation XV: Neil Marklew, John Lawn (Wharfedale), John Duffy, Matt Symes, Jason Metcalfe, Paul Marklew (Wharfedale), Allan Hobson-Sheriffe, Duncan Walsh, Steve Welch, Michael Feather, Dave Pullen, Mark Crotch, Darren Muff, Colin Dyson, Darren Close, Martin Uren, Kevin Bottomley (Skipton), Johnny Harrison (two conversions), Mark Lister, Dave Duxbury (Baildon), John Hincliffe (Old Grovians), Matt Gaffney (Old Grovians), Warren Knowles, Mike Crabtree, Micky Phillips (two tries).