Weston second row forward recently made his 250th appearance for the first team.

WESTON second rower Ashley Russell made his 250th first team appearance in the match against Lydney at the Recreation Ground last Saturday.

Bristol-born Russell, aged 30, was educated at Priory and Churchill schools from where the played for Somerset at 16 group level.

But before that, he joined the club as an eight-year-old junior and proceeded through the age groups to the colts.

He also appeared for the county’s under-20s before making his senior club debut in the home match against Redruth in December 2002.

He has been the winner of Weston’s Player of the Year award twice, in 2006 and 2009 and so far, he has scored 28 tries.