Congratulations to James Sanderson on his 200th game, yesterday

James “Sando” Sanderson will achieve the relatively rare milestone of 200 appearances for the 1st XV, when he runs out on Saturday to face Preston Grasshoppers.

James made his debut in the 2016/17 season, when I’s were battling in N1, and has been a mainstay of the team, captaining the side for a couple of seasons, ever since. He has also had the honour of representing Yorkshire and the Barbarians.
Not surprisingly, for someone who puts his head where it shouldn’t really go, he has sustained any number of injuries but has still had an unusually consistent appearance record. He enjoys his rugby, and as a man of few words lets his performance do his talking. He is as tough as teak.

James comes with a ready-made supporters’ club; Mum and Dad, Craig and Joanne, sister Meghan and Grandparents Peter, Elaine and Jenny. They have travelled the length and breadth of the nation to watch James play. (Peter has also kept me supplied with mint imperials, which is nice.)

He now has Mark Wigham’s 207 games firmly in his sights and should eclipse the appearance records of club legends Tony Rice, Karl Wigglesworth and Jim Iveson before the season is out, if luck stays with him, which surely it will. All the best Sando!