AS most men half his age were wandering down to their local pub to enjoy a relaxing Boxing Day drink with friends and family, Stephen Carrington was lacing up his rugby boots to write a page in Crickhowell Rugby Club history.

For Stephen turned 60 just a few months ago and was – for the final time – turning out in the annual Crickhowell Boxing Day inter-club match, mixing it with many players in their teens and early 20s.

And to add extra family spice to the occasion, his son Bleddyn – himself no rugby spring chicken at 29 – lined up alongside his father in the team on that bitterly cold and wet morning, cheered from the sidelines by Stephen's wife, Lesley, and daughter Angharad.

Bleddyn was almost tempted to come off midway through the second half with an injured knee. But, turning round to see dad still throwing himself into tackles and running hard in support of his teammates, he applied the magic sponge and returned to the fray.

Sadly, there was to be no fairytale scoring of the winning try for Stephen, although, as he mused as he strode off the pitch at the final whistle, "I almost scored but knocked on just before the line. Damn it."

Stephen, a brewery engineer of Cwmbeth Close, Crickhowell, said. "I've thoroughly enjoyed playing over the years and was determined to make this last appearance at 60. It was also great to share a pitch with my son for the last time and I will cherish the memory. But it is time to call it a day now."

Son Bleddyn, a software engineer, who lives at High Trees Road, Gilwern, with fiancée Michaela, said, "There can't be many lads lucky enough to have played rugby with their fathers. All respect to dad for having carried on so long. Mind you, I'm sure if Wales manager Warren Gatland found himself short of players during the Six Nations, if he gave dad a call he'd be ready to put on his boots again."

Daughter Angharad, a solicitor of Kimberley, Tredegar, said, "Both me and Bleddyn are so proud to have a dad who is prepared to have a go at his age. I think we'd better buy him a beer."

Wife Lesley added, "I don't know how he's carried on for so long but he's very young at heart and you can't keep a good man down. Maybe I can get him to do the dishes now."

Not that Stephen will be putting on the slippers and supping cocoa just yet. Apart from still working, he is vice-chairman of the rugby club and chairman of the local angling society.

"No rest for the wicked," added Stephen. "Maybe the washing up will have to wait for a while."

Bleddyn (left) and dad Stephen are all smiles after completing their final match together