'Perfect way to bow out'

STRADWICK PLEASED TO BE HANGING UP BOOTS ON A HIGH NOTE

- By MICHAEL REEVES

KENT'S player-head coach Tom Stradwick said he wrote his 'own fairy-tale' end to his playing career on Saturday as the county wrapped up a hat-trick of Bill Beaumont Senior Men's County Championship Division One titles.

The lock, who had been plying his trade in National One with Blackheath, was playing his final game of rugby at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham at the weekend and he was delighted to see Kent retain their crown for a third successive year after a 39-32 victory over Yorkshire.

And Stradwick admits being able to go out on such a high note is something a lot of players do not get the opportunity to do.

"One is very special, the first one, but this being my last game, there was a lot of pressure, I wanted to finish and write my own fairy-tale," he said after the game.