Rugby I only ever played one game of rugby in my life.  It was for my college, Taunton's, against Barton Peveril on a chilly Wednesday afternoon.  I had only gone to the game to run touch but I discovered on arriving that we only had 13 so they insisted that I play to make up the numbers - in the front row.  I had not trained, I had no boots and didn't know the calls or anything.  But here I was, in a yellow and green hooped shirt propping against a man who I had watched only the previous weekend - play for Hampshire Under 21s.  He crucified me and we lost 90-3 ... I believe we were lucky to get 3! So, a man with no rugby grounding or background, how did I get into it?  Once again, it was Dad, who alongside good friend Peter Andrews went to see US Portsmouth play Bath (and win - how times have changed now) in 1981.  And from there, we were hooked. Dad and I travelled everywhere to watch rugby.  If it was on, we would watch it.  It didn't matter who it was or even where it was, we would go.  It also gave me a chance to shout my lungs out in support. From that early day, we would go on the train down to Bath and watch them (it was cheap with a family railcard) and also travel around to see Hampshire's teams play - from the Under 16s through to the County XV.  We would think nothing of going to Nottingham to see Bath or Liverpool to watch Hampshire.  It was all part of the fun! Never did I believe that watching and cheering Bath or Havant, who we started to support once going to Bath became a big expense and rugby started to turn professional, would turn me into a journalist.  But that is what it did. We had accepted a lift from Dave King, the then Sports Editor of the Portsmouth News, when going down to Redruth to see the Hampshire Under 20s play Cornwall in the semi-final of the County Championship and Dave discussed with me, all the way from Southampton, about taking on the role.  I had no idea what I was setting myself up for ... but I accepted and the rest is history. I spent over two years with The News before following Dave over to the Southern Daily Echo, where he had taken over as Sports Editor.  He asked me to come in and revitalise the rugby coverage and, after a tricky start, I settled in well, meeting new people in the clubs around the Southampton area and, despite moving north, I continued in my role at the paper - not a bad effort really considering I only saw a handful of matches! It was with disappointment that the Echo decided to let me go in December 2005, due to budget cuts.  I have been keeping a close eye on my replacement and believe he is doing an OK job, although some clubs have mentioned to me that they are not very happy! Aside from this, I also took on my media relations office role with Hampshire Rugby and also became webmaster to www.hampshirerugby.com.  Sadly, due to my Sky Cricket commitments, I had to resign from these posts but was awarded a 'VIP' certificate and tie by Hampshire Rugby for my services.  However, while relinquishing the media relations role to Amanda Fallbrown, I was asked to continue with the website, which I do.  I feel it keeps my hand in with southern rugby matters! Strangely, despite our interest in rugby, Dad and I have hardly watched any since he moved up north.  We have watched Sedgley Park a couple of times and, even with Bury just across the road from their house, we haven't been over there (just like the old days when Millbrook played over the 'Rec' !!).  We tend to watch football these days - with Ramsbottom United our particular favourite.