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Player Spotlight

Player Spotlight

Ben Stanley15 Mar 2019 - 11:24
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This week's Player Spotlight shines on Alex Jones

This weeks 'Player Spotlight' shines on 1st XV scrumhalf, Alex Jones. Alex started playing at Thurrock at the age of 5, joining our under 7s where current 1st XV team mate Sam Stanley was also playing.

Alex spent a couple of more years in the under 7s until current Club Chairman, Andy Stanford took over the coaching duties.

Alex played all the way through the minis & youths alongside other future 1st XV players, Grant Scott & Andrew Nimmo in a successful age group. Alex showed from an early age that he had great leadership qualities and captained the side through to Colts.

As a Colt, Alex would join up with current 1st XV team mates, Jake Barrand & Joss Nunn in the side that would win the Essex Cup in the golden season of 2011-2012. Not only were they the first Thurrock side to win the competition since 2007, but they are also the last Thurrock side to have won it to date.

Alex would then join the Senior squad that summer as the 1st XV moved into National 3 at the age of 17 as backup to Josh Cook & Jake Bedding. As Alex was at university, he would have to wait until the following season to make his debut. His 1st appearance was in the 2013-2014 season as he came off the bench to score Thurrocks only try in a 29-10 defeat to Hertford in October 2013. Alex would go on to make a further 5 appearances as Thurrock were relegated back to London 1 North following 2 seasons of National League Rugby.

Alex has since gone on to establish himself as a key member of the 1st XV squad as well as the players leadership group. He currently sits on 94 caps and it is only a matter of time before he joins the '100' Club.

Speaking with Alex, he had the following to say about his time at Thurrock: " I Love Thurrock, I’ve been playing at the club since the age of 5 and never missed a year, so feel like the club has been a big part of my life growing up."

"Highlights for me have been representing Essex under 18s, 20s & Seniors. Also captaining the Essex Cup winning Colts side as well as being Captain for the 1st XV during Reece Durrances absence in the 2015/16 season"

"There haven't really been many lows apart from the relegation battle last season and also being relegated in my 1st season"

Congratulations Alex on your Thurrock career so far, and everyone at Thurrock looks forward to celebrating you joining the '100' club next season and releasing the Kraken a few more times!!!

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