RUGBY UNION: Sixty not out (From The Oxford Times)

RUGBY UNION: Sixty not out

3:30pm Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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Chinnor stalwart Dougie Humphries shows no sign of letting up, despite turning 60.

Days after that milestone birthday, scrum half Humphries played in Chinnor Oxen’s 27-10 victory over Alchester Centurions – donning the black and white as he has done for most for the past 34 years.

The only difference this time was that Humphries sported a pair of pink shorts to commemorate the occasion.

Humphries could well be the oldest regular player in Oxfordshire rugby – let me know if you have heard differently.

“Each season the other players ask are you retiring, but I just say I will give it another one,” said Humphries.

“Touch wood, I have been lucky with injuries. I broke my leg when I was 28, but there’s been nothing since that.

“It keeps me fit and there is a great social side.

“The old saying that the beer tastes so much better after the game is true.

“It is a bit of a challenge to keep going because I say to myself if other players keep going, so will I.

“If I am the oldest player in Oxfordshire, I am proud to be.”

Humphries joined Chinnor in 1976 and played for their first team until he was 38.

Having captained the firsts in 1978, he then led all Chinnor’s senior sides.

A former teacher at Lord Williams’s School, Thame, he said: “Some of the guys I have taught are now playing in the vets with me.”

And Humphries, who also referees at both senior and junior levels, has no plans to retire just yet.