Three brothers played against Ponte for Old Crocs on 12 March 2022: Jack, George and Billy Hammond. I guess that trumps Ponte who just had two brothers in their XV. But we can actually do one better than Crocs as, in our previous game against Rishworthians on 5 March, Ponte had two sets of brothers in their line-up: the formidable Brodie and Bailey Matthews, together with Richard Dedicoat and his elder brother, Stuart.

Richard needs no introduction; a fan-favourite, he’s always entertaining to watch. If he’s not scoring tries out wide, he’s mixing it with the opposition back row or knocking them backwards in the tackle zone.

Stuart, on the other hand, is a most unlikely rugby player. He’s a footballer really, having been encouraged by Rich to take up rugby a mere four years ago. He’s a bit of an intellectual having a 2:1 in computer science, weighs in at only 160 pounds with, what his mum might describe as, ‘delicate features’. But, he’s been a regular second XV back-rower and has carved out his own role in the modern game: a near perfect tackle technique (low and committed), he gets first to the break-down and jackles well over the ball to retain possession or win it back. Other, larger units can truck the ball up the middle in traffic, Stuart reads the game and concentrates on ball-retention and continuity.

Stuart is also a dedicated Ponte man, trains regularly and is a delight to coach (although could do with an introduction to the gym). It was his intelligent insight into the game and enthusiastic training that caused Head Coach, Craig Fawcett, to include Stuart in the First XV squad this season in front of other, more muscular and experienced players. In this way Stuart’s an excellent example to our junior and lower XV players: train well, think about how you can improve, stick at it and you will be given an opportunity. Its then up to you to take it.

Just one thing, Stu. You get married on the 14 April, which is two weeks before the end of the season. What were you thinking? You’ll be on honeymoon in New York instead of toughing it out against Selby!