That was before he left journalism for a change of career - joining the teaching profession.

But his sporting expertise remains intact, especially, it seems, when it comes to rugby.

For he was in charge of the Garland School boys team which managed to keep a 100 per cent record in the Under-8 / 9 tag-rugby festival hosted by Crosfields School.

The Burghfield Common school was represented by Harvey Kelly, Danny Kelly, Connor Lynch, Sam Weller, Finley Greenhalgh, Lucas Marshall, Will Stantiford, Ashton MacMillan and Ross Cox.

They were one of 35 primary schools competing in this annual event, which involved well over 500 boys and girls.

Crosfields headmaster Jonathan Wansey said: “Such is its popularity that all available places were filled more than six weeks ago with 17 teams being left in the wings should anyone have to withdraw.”

The teams were divided into mini leagues, and Garland easily topped League A with 15 points, but it was much closer elsewhere. Oakley from Basingstoke headed League B on 12 points, with Oaklands (Crowthorne) just one behind.

Arborfield’s The Coombes took top spot in League C on 13 points, two more than Park Lane from Tilehurst.

League D was extremely tight with Caversham accumulating 12 points, followed by Shiplake and Willow Bank A (Woodley) both on 10.

The most successful school in League E were South Lake from Woodley with 13 points, three more than Sonning.

Competition newcomers Lambs Lane (Spencers Wood) finished with 13 points in League F, two more than St Mary’s from Henley.

The four girls’ leagues were closely contested with many of the youngsters having their first taste of competitive sport.

There were no outright winners on the day and every team returned home with a rugby as a souvenir.

Mr Wansey added: “​It was a wonderful afternoon with all the youngsters enjoying themselves. I would like to thank all those who took part, the teachers and parents who ​provided the transport ​here, and all the Crosfields staff and pupils who helped ​out on the day.

“I must give special thanks to Les Smith who was the main organiser and he even managed to​ organise the weather, as it was a nice sunny day.”

Nine former Crosfields pupils returned to the school to referee the boys’ matches, while five members of the PE Department officiated ​in the girls’ matches.

​One of the PE staff, Tom Goodhew, left straight after the tournament along with a coach load of pupils on a trip to Bath.

The boys watched Friday night’s Aviva Premiership game between Bath and Sale, and then on Saturday morning they return​ed​ to The Rec for a coaching session, where they also​ met up some of the Bath players.

But several of the boys are also in the Crosfields choir, and ​t​​hey had to rush back as they were singing in the Woodley Festival later in the day.