Doc, as he was always known, was a good player, normally second row, from where he would tweak the nether regions of the opposing hooker. The language used by said hookers was very colourful!

Many of the older members will remember Tony’s caring attitude on the field! When called to an injured player, he would ask: “NHS or Private?“. If it was NHS he would say “it’s only pain, St John’s Ambulance will sort it out”, if it was private, he would say “bring this man a stretcher and a large brandy” most people got the joke, but not all.

Another well-known incident was on tour in Jersey, when at 3am a player fell and split his forehead open (the soup had been particularly strong at dinner that night). So Tony, who had also had the soup, stitched the wound with a prop and second row acting as nurses!

Tony attended a few of the VP lunches at which all of the older players there were five yards faster than when they actually played! They recalled heroic incidents which never happened. A distinct smell of bull in the air.

There are more anecdotes I could talk about but, despite the Jersey incident above, what happens on tour stays on tour.

Doc was a great stalwart of the Club and will be missed by all who knew him.

A Service of Thanksgiving for Doc took place this afternoon.