Testimonials - A Farewell to Diggin

Today, I went along to the testimonial match at Franklin's Gardens for Paul Diggin, at the end of what has been known as Digger's Decade. Celebrating 10 years of Paul playing for the Saints. It doesn't happen often, both testimonials and a player playing for the same club for his whole career. But something about Diggin screams "Northampton." He's lived here all his life, played rugby here his whole life, excluding the loan to Cambridge. He even goes back to coaching and playing for his boyhood club, BBOB's.
A quick history lesson for those who aren't part of the Northampton collective. Diggin started playing for the Saints in 2003, aged just 19, and has soared to success for England U21's and his club. He currently has in his trophy cabinet a European Challenge Cup winners medal from 2008/9, the year he also was named Player of the Year by the club, and an LV= Cup winners medal from the following season. Add to that this years double of Aviva Premiership and Amlin Challenge Cup medals, and someone's bound to feel pretty happy! 148 appearances, 310 points, and 62 tries after his debut, and you'd struggle to find anyone who's more deserving of club recognition. He still holds the record of being the only player who has ever scored four tries in a Heineken Cup match. Now you mention it, he will forever be the only one. He is rated highly by players, coaches and friends, and as he goes into his new career as a coach for the Academy, he takes with him the kind words, shortly followed by abuse, of his friends. Dylan Hartley included in his testimony the lyrics to the popular victory song "We Hate Digger."

As part of the year long celebrations, Digger chose a charity that was local and connected with the Saints. Lee Dickson and Ben Foden are also patrons, and through out the year, Digger has been raising awareness for Niamh's Next Step. This charity was set up in memory of a young girl, Niamh Curry, who sadly lost her battle with a rare form of cancer, neuroblastoma. It reminds you of how these players do want to give back to their communities, and I can imagine that, as Paul is a father, he felt strongly about supporting the family. If you wish to read more about Niamh's Next Step, I'll leave the link here.

Today's game was the traditional testimonial game. Old players, and even some current ones, were pulled out of their chairs on a Sunday, to throw a ball around one last time. This time, it was Saint All Stars vs Saint Legends. I felt a twinge of guilt looking down the teamsheets that I could only recognise four names on it, Paul Diggin, Bruce Reihana, Tom Smith and Mark Hopley, but it was certainly a nostalgic trip for the older supporters, and I had to smile every time I heard the call of "Bruce, Bruce, Bruce." The former All Black and Saints captain was on fine form at full back, and looked the fittest of the lot, despite retiring not too long ago. Tom Foden, big brother of England full back Ben, who for the record looks insanely similar, was darting around happily. Even his runs looked out of a family playbook. But the whole day had a feel good feel to it. Obviously, the play wasn't at a professional level, but why would it be? It was sunny, and it was a laugh. What more could you ask for?
During the first half, Bernie, the Saints mascot, barged his way onto the pitch, and, to the crowd's delight, packed down for the All Stars in the second row. As soon as the ball was clear, his flankers pulled him to the ground and started beating him mercilessly. Hilarious to watch, and it distracted from the play. He was subsequently substituted, to the tannoy announcement of "Mark Hopley returns to the field, replacing Bernie!"

The players got in on the fun too, with Lennie Newman taking over as the match day commentator half way through the first half. His first comment - "If anyone has a spare set of lungs, and a heart, please bring them over here!"
It wouldn't be a true testimonial if the player in question didn't get on the score sheet. A few years back, Soane Tonga'uiha ran a fifty metre match winning try in past Tongan and Samoan internationals diving left and right, much to the approval of the crowds. And so Diggin eventually dotted down after a 1-2 and a forty metre run, though he did get up massaging his leg. The game carried on, until the score board read "All Stars 39 - Legends 47" and Newman said, just after a try had been scored, "next score wins!" Minor chaos ensued but ultimately, the All Stars scored the final try.
And so ends the decade of Digger. A selfless workhorse who learnt the hard way not to tackle with his face into someone's knee, the target of abuse that holds the team together, and a man who has decided to fold up his shirt one last time. It's sad to think that he won't be around as much on match days, but we know he's going to do wonders for his young charges. So thank you, Paul Diggin. The Garden's won't forget you.

That got a bit gloomy, didn't it? He's not dead, after all! On a more positive note, who at your club do you think deserves a testimonial year? Leicester recently announced that this coming season is Marcos Ayerza's testimonial year. The Argentinian joined in 2006, and has remained a fan favourite. For my money, I've listed a few players who probably should get a testimonial in the coming years for their hard work and dedication to their clubs.
Phil Dowson - Northampton
James Haskell - Wasps
Matt Banahan - Bath
Mike Brown - Harlequins
Nick Easter - Harlequins
Tom May - London Welsh

Now, up until that last one, you were probably nodding along quite happily. Tom May is, I think, one of the most deserving players of a testimonial. He's the one of last of the Wilkinson generation of players to still be going, and despite some nomadic lifestyle which has seen him hopping clubs, he is one of the true gentlemen of the game. And I'd like to see him rewarded for that.
Who in your club do you think is worthy of a testimonial? Tweet or comment. I'd be interested to see what you think.

P.S. After a little googling, I've found out that Nick Easter is getting a testimonial year this season. Hurray!