Published: Tuesday, 27th July, 2010 9:30am

Eccles has to settle for bronze

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Rugby

FORMER Windsor Boys' School student and Windsor Rugby Club colt, Richard Eccles, achieved a bronze medal with England at the weekend's Touch Rugby European Championships held in Bristol.

Eccles, who was part of the winning England Men's team at the previous Championships two years ago, played in all 10 games of this tournament performing the key role of midfield or link position throughout.

Richard Eccles

England, however, came unstuck against a strong Wales squad in this year's semi-final and then had to face France in the match to decide third and fourth place. But they bounced back well to dominate their opponents in a passionate encounter and thereby secure the bronze medal position.

Scotland went on to beat Wales well in the final to win the European trophy.

During the course of the four days Ireland, France, Spain, Switzerland, Netherlands and the Channel Islands were all beaten by England with Eccles scoring five tries, making a strong contribution in attack and being very solid in defence.

England and Eccles will now be looking forward to the World Cup being held in Edinburgh next summer and this young squad will have learnt valuable lessons from the tournament which they will be able to draw upon when they face Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in 12 months time.