England rugby star Dean Richards is guest of honour at Minety RFC (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

England rugby star Dean Richards is guest of honour at Minety RFC

LEGENDARY England No 8 Dean Richards was speaker and guest of honour at Minety Rugby Club's annual dinner on Friday, May 14.

The former international, who played on two British Lions tours and was capped 48 times for England, awarded the prizes and delivered a rousing after-dinner speech to some 200 club members and guests in a specially constructed marquee at the Minety playing fields.

Having congratulated Minety on their recent promotion to the Southern Counties League, he went on to humorously chart the changes he had seen in the game during his 23 years as first a player and then as director of rugby for Leicester Tigers.

He praised the leadership of England captain Martin Johnson, but urged all those involved in the game at whatever level to make the most of their time as players.

"If you're successful, that's a bonus," he told his audience. "The most important thing, though, is to enjoy your rugby."

Cups were awarded at the dinner as follows: Player of the year Mark Holdsworth, best new player Dave Church, most improved player Stacy Skinner, players' player of the season Keith Arrell, the Captain's Cup Andy Ward.