The time he has spent playing in Heriot Rugby Club’s top team has passed quickly for prop Blair Young.
In Saturday he played his 300th game for the club in a close-fought tussle against Clutha Valley, which Heriot won 24-22.
It had been 22 years since he first started playing in the premier grade, Young said.
‘‘One year rolled into the next and it seems to have flown. I look back now and think 22 years is a long time but it doesn’t seem that long. You just keep coming back.’’
At the end of each season he was ready for a break, but after a couple of months he was ready to play again.
‘‘You miss it. I like the camaraderie and the social side of it . . .That’s why you keep coming back.’’
The 40-year-old had been relatively injury-free, which was another reason why he kept playing.
The highlight of his time playing was when the team won the Rugby Otago Southern premier competition game in 2013.
He started playing for the club when he was about 6 years old and had played most of his rugby for Heriot.
‘‘I haven’t moved far.’’
Sport was an important part of family life, with wife Jess running a gym in Tapanui, son Jayden (18) playing rugby for the Gore High Menzies 1st XV and daughters Chloe (13) playing netball and Bella (9) rugby.
He was not sure how long he would keep playing.
‘‘Never say never. Probably getting to the stage when I might be getting a bit past it. I still do enjoy it.’’
