Melbourne born and lived until he recently found himself the other side of the water. Melbourne Junior School was followed by Chellaston. Rugby began in the M&Js with coaches Kev Holdgate and father Kev and continued through school.

In Chellaston 6th Form Devon studied Sport and Business Studies followed by Sport Science at Nottingham Trent University.

A period of employment with a company teaching sport in schools decided Devon that teaching was not the career for him. A bit of building work came next before Devon took up an apprenticeship in Practical Engineering aged 21 with Rolls Royce.

Devon now works in the Primary Components Operation on Raynesway as a Nuclear Fitter.

Rugby with Melbourne flourished until Devon was 16 when the squad lost too many players to sustain a team. Devon and 6 others joined together with Ashby for two seasons and as soon as he was old enough to play senior rugby Devon returned to Melbourne. He was 17 when he first played for Dave Lowson’s 2nd team before he found his place in the 1st team. This place began with a game at scrumhalf, and Devon believes that over time he has played every position on the pitch with the exception of front row.

A fine and talented cricketer according to Andy Heafield who says that cricket’s loss is rugby’s gain. Devon says that the reason he chose rugby over cricket was that he preferred to have a rest from sport in the summer rather than the winter. When his rugby days are over (not for a while yet we hope) he may return to the rather gentler cricket. There are also thoughts of taking up Weightlifting where the gym is second home to Devon.

Devon credits the rugby tour to Weston Super Mare with his drinking education. 18 year old Devon and Jack Pearce were on their first tour, and despite their best attempts, found it impossible to melt into the background and avoid the scrutiny of Bignall and Huddo. Devon spent most of the tour tied to Mark Coyne.

Discussing his recent catastrophic injury on the rugby field Devon recalls being told that the Air Ambulance had been summoned and thinking something along the lines of “Oh dear, it must be pretty bad then”. (Author’s note: Rather extreme means of getting a free ride in a helicopter). He likened Matt Derbyshire holding his hand while he struggled with the pain (Devon, not Matt) to what it must be like for a woman giving birth. Not sure which is the more gruesome!!

1. First position you played in rugby: Centre
2. Worst injury: Broken leg & dislocated ankle (Author’s Note: Bit of an understatement)

3. Best player you played with at MRFC or elsewhere: Pagey (annoyingly)

4. Best person for post-match drinks, fun and frolics: Tony Day

5. What should your nickname be: Dev

6. What bad habit do you have: I’m very indecisive

7. Your sporting hero: Jonny Wilkinson/ Andrew Flintoff

8. Your non-sporting hero: My Dad

9. Favourite food/meal: Pizza

10. Favourite TV programme/film: Prison break/ The Punisher

11. Favourite book: The Harry Potter books

12. Who dead or alive would you like to have a conversation with: My grandparents

13. You can take either a book, music or a tool to a desert island. Which, and what would it be: A machete

14. Dream job: Formula 1 Driver (Drive to Survive)

15. Tell me something about you that no one knows : I’m very scared of snakes (stopped me going into a nightclub in Magaluf when I was 18 as there was one on the street outside)

16. A phrase that reflects your life: What will be, will be

17. What sport do you wish you’d tried: Ice hockey

18. Who would you like to see interviewed for this article: Matt Derbyshire

19. Your wish for the future of MRFC: To carry on punching above our weight for a small village team full of home grown players.

20. Your Melbourne Dream Team of players past and present:

Jake Ballington
Matt smith
Ben Rosamand
Will judge
Chris Stark
Kelvin Brown
Mike Lowery
Tom warren
Ollie Page
Euan Holden
Tommy Howard
Sam Smith
Jack Pearce
Charlie Livesey
Joe Livesey