Tales from the Members’ Bar

No.18 Paul Diggin

On the day that it was announced that Digger had signed to Saints for another two years he was more naturally effervescent than Champagne and a real joy to engage in conversation. He was prepared for the biscuit question and lined up with the two Marks with a Caramel Chocolate Digestive.

Having done my usual research – there were no embarrassing Face Book or Bebo entries in Google’s first twelve pages – we spoke about a few of the snippets. Mike Schmid at Esher had chosen to highlight the referee not awarding a try as Digger rolled over the line with their flanker as, “butchering an opportunity,” but nothing was going to spoil Digger’s mood. If opposition coaches are having a go, he must be doing something right.

It was easy to find yet more evidence of the spirit that runs through the young men in the frat houses. They are all pretty tight and, with characters like Chris Ashton and Johnny Howard around, the next amusement is never far away.

In briefly recounting the interview with Mav during pre-season, I asked whether he was looking forward to the next one (Eds note: pre-season that is, not being interviewed by Mav!). Digger has been speaking with Ben Foden and no, he is not. The two weeks relaxing in Mexico may have to go hand in hand with a personal trainer. Foden has obviously been talking up the pain of a Nick Johnston pre-season. Or maybe it is just the truth…

As has been well documented, Digger is a local lad. He began playing mini rugby at Boys Brigade Old Boys and has nothing but praise for the spirit of that club and the things he learnt there. Roger Allen and Dwayne Thomas get a mention as the coaches who brought together a group of young boys and turned them into a team that scarcely lost in their whole time together. He is quite surprised that he was the only one of that particular group that came through and made it into Saints’ professional ranks. Thinking back to those days when the boys were playing almost every day for school, club, county and the associated training the workload of three games in eight days that Saints are in at the moment does not seem so steep.

Around that time Digger came across a coach; let us call him Ernst Klamer, a sun-tanned South African. Influential in Digger’s life, this guy is known for giving a hard time to the best players – like blowing up in a practice match if somebody (Digger) side-stepped while holding the ball in one hand. The lads had a joke: What is the difference between GOD and Ernst? God does not think he is Ernst Klamer.

He is delighted with the calibre of local talent following in his footsteps. Messrs Cannon, Hoy, Lawes and Milligan all impress the coaches and players with whom they train.

After a well-deserved ribbing for a high-scoring winger not managing to get on the score sheet for a single one of twenty-three tries – even Alex Rae scored his first try of the season (I think that one hurt but not on the day he got his new contract) – Digger is resolved to getting back to the job and doing the best he can to help Saints secure promotion. With another two years on his contract he is looking forward to the challenges ahead – Nick Johnston notwithstanding.

arw

7.03.2008

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