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Ben Avent retires from Rugby

Ben Avent retires from Rugby

Chris Campbell24 Aug 2018 - 19:46
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https://www.hinckleyrugby.co.u

'He is among the toughest, bravest, most courageous players I’ve ever worked with'

Ben Avent has this week confirmed that he has had to retire from rugby with immediate effect due to a long standing neck injury.

Avent has been a close to ever present (around his injuries) since joining the club in 2008 from Leicester, spending only a year away with Nuneaton where he took the step up to play in National 1. The former JCC pupil, who won the Daily Mail Cup there under the guidance of former DoR Paul Walsh. Ben’s game was always intensely physical despite his stature and he was a master of work over the ball, an art which has died away in the modern game in recent times.

He was a key part of the 2015/16 promotion winning team, forming a formidable back row unit with Tom Morris and Alex Salt, and played a big role in the retention of league status the year after. He rated his finest moment in a Hinckley shirt being a recent one – the 35 – 0 win at Stourbridge in December of last year, which wasn’t long before his final game in a Hinckley shirt, which was on the 23rd December 2017, at home to Huddersfield.

Since Avent made the announcement tributes have been pouring in on social media – David Peck reflected the views on many when he said no one had put their body on the line more for HRFC than Avent and Luke Coltman said that he’s put his face in places where most wouldn’t put their hands! Captain Alex Salt also said the following:

‘He will be missed massively. The work he put in at the breakdown slowing ball down was unmatched by any player in the squad. He put his body on line every week and left nothing in the changing room! Probably why he is having to hang his boots up now. He’s a great friend of mine and it was always a pleasure to play alongside him and I will miss seeing him with the Hinckley shirt on.

Hinckley’s former Director of Rugby Paul Walsh, also paid this tribute:

He is among the toughest, bravest, most courageous players I’ve ever worked with. I’ve had the privilege of working with him since he was 14 and I’ll treasure every moment. He should have played for England at age group level without doubt, and had the ability to play in the Premiership. Much, much more important than that all though is the fact that he’s an absolutely fantastic individual, and one of the nicest people I’ve ever met- totally honest, reliable and always positive- great fun to be with. The club will be much worse without him on the field and I hope he stays involved in some capacity.

All at the club wish Ben all the best, and we hope he continues to play a big role in the club’s future.

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