22 2GS Saturday June 11 2022 | the times
Sport Rugby League
The Isle of Man TT claimed two more
lives yesterday as father-and-son team
Roger and Bradley Stockton were killed
while racing.
Driver Roger, 56, and 21-year-old
passenger, Bradley, who were from
Crewe, died after an incident at Ago’s
Leap on the final lap of the second side-
car race, taking the number of rider
deaths at this year’s event to five.
It was Roger’s 20th race in his 11th TT
appearance, while Bradley was in his
second race in his maiden TT. They fin-
ished eighth in the first sidecar race.
Roger made his TT debut in 2000
and competed regularly until 2008
before returning in 2010, 2017 and for
Motorsport
I’ve missed so many weddings, stag
dos and family gatherings because
I’ve been training or playing.
“There are eyes on you all the time,
on and off the field — and rightly so.
You have to be committed to
maintaining your peak physical
condition, especially as an ageing
player. When I started out, there was
a drinking culture but the game is so
professional now that we can go for
months without having a beer. It
takes a huge amount of self-discipline,
but there’s no point moaning about it.
“Rugby league has given me so
many fantastic opportunities but first
and foremost I’m a husband and a
father. I’m nothing without my family
and must thank them for their
amazing support down the years.
“After games, I just go home and
switch off from rugby. My wife stilldoesn’t know all the rules, which suits
me fine.”
As a young player in a star-studded
side that featured greats such as Paul
Wellens, Sean Long and Paul
Sculthorpe, Roby helped Saints to win
the Treble in 2006. He then featured
in a torturous run of five consecutive
Grand Final defeats, but the modern-
day St Helens side will become
peerless in Super League history if
they retain their crown this year.
Roby holds a masters degree in
sporting directorship and could stay
at St Helens in an off-field role when
he retires. For now, further glory
beckons. “A fourth title in four
seasons has never been done before,
and that’s our goal this year,” Roby
says. “For me personally, it would be
the perfect finish — if indeed this
season does prove to be my last.”A
s of tomorrow, no man
will have played more
Super League matches
than James Roby. Yet for
some time now, the
ultimate one-club man has reconciled
himself with the likelihood that this
season, his 19th at St Helens, will be
his last.
The Saints captain says that he will
make a decision on his future “pretty
soon” and is expected to call time on
a stellar career, which has marked
him out as one of the finest players of
his generation. Roby’s remarkable
longevity will come into clear focus
tomorrow, when he is set to line up at
home to Hull Kingston Rovers
and, in doing so, make a record
455th appearance in the Betfred
Super League.
The 36-year-old hooker
will move ahead of Kevin
Sinfield, the Leeds
Rhinos legend, to
become the most
enduring player in the
competition’s history. It
will be some feat for a local lad
who has lived out his childhood
dream and could now enjoy a
fairytale finish as Saints bid to
win an unprecedented fourth
successive Grand Final later
this year.
This weekend’s landmark has
provided a time for introspection
and Roby, who made his debut in
March 2004, says: “Starting out,
you’re just happy to break into your
boyhood club’s first team, play a
couple of games and I suppose
anything after that is a bonus.
‘It’s much more
professional now
- we go months
without a beer’
Before his record 455th
Super League match,
St Helens’s James Roby
tells Ross Heppenstall
how game has evolved
“Back then there was no way I
could have foreseen that I would still
be playing 19 seasons later, in such a
physical sport too.
“I’ve been pretty lucky with injuries
and there are probably a lot of factors
which have played a part in it. Now
I’ve got to the point where I’m about
to break the record.
“My mum and dad come to all the
games and my wife and kids will be
there on Sunday but, while it’s a nice
landmark, I’m not getting too excited
about it. We need to beat Hull KR.”
Saints are enjoying a golden era,
with Roby earning plenty of plaudits
for the way he has captained them to
the title in the past three seasons.
This has prompted calls for him to
come out of international retirement
and play for England at this year’s
World Cup, adding to the 31 caps he
has won since his debut 14 years ago.
Though Roby does not expect that
to happen, he could feasibly play on
at St Helens for a 20th season —
especially bearing in mind his
outstanding form again this term —
be he is yet to make a final decision.
“I’ve got pros and cons for this
season being my last and also
playing on next year,” Roby
says. “A big part of me is
ready to finish but
another part of me
wants to keep going
while I can.
“Within the next
month, I need to make the
decision for myself and my
family but also the club’s
sake as well.”
Roby treasures the
support of his wife, Natasha,
14-year-old son Ollie, and
nine-year-old daughter
Athelia. “As a professional
sportsman, rugby comes first
and it does take its toll on
your family,” he says. “I’ve
never been able to go on a
proper family summer
holiday because it’s not a job
where you can book days off.454454452439438432Most games
Kevin Sinfield (Leeds 1997-2015)James Roby (St Helens 2004- )Paul Wellens (St Helens, 1998-2015Jamie Peacock (Bradford,
Leeds 1998-2015)Leon Pryce (Bradford, St Helens,
Hull, Catalans 1998-2016)Andy Lynch (Castleford,
Bradford, Hull 1999-2017)JAMIE MCDONALD/GETTY IMAGESHardest opponent
Adrian Morley, Jamie Peacock and
Ben Westwood were your
stereotypical hardmen and Andy
Farrell, at the start of my career, was
particularly tough. But I would rather
have these guys running at me than
players like Rob Burrow and Sam
Tomkins, who could step past you in a
flash and embarrass you.Favourite match
The way we won the 2020 Grand
Final against Wigan was incredible.
It was played behind closed doors at
Hull FC because of Covid and Jack
Welsby scored a try after the final
hooter to clinch the title. It was the
most dramatic finish in Super League
history — against our arch-enemies.Best team-mate
The list is
endless but
Jamie Lyon,
inset, the
Australian
centre, was a
special talent.
He helped us win
the Treble in 2006 and
was a brilliant player and character. I
must also mention James Graham,
Keiron Cunningham, Chris Joynt, Ade
Gardner, Paul Wellens, Jonny Lomax,
Kyle Amor and Louie McCarthy-
Scarsbrook.Favourite head coach
Ian Millward gave me my debut and I
have won Super League titles under
Daniel Anderson, Nathan Brown,
Justin Holbrook and Kristian Woolf.
If I could take my favourite snippet
from each one and put it together,
you would have the ultimate super
coach. But they are all elite in their
own way.Roby’s views on...
Roby in action against London Broncos in 2004, his debut season with St Helensen
0 6 and
ayerand character IFather and son die in crash
this year’s event. Speaking earlier in the
year, he said: “I’ve retired a few times
before, but always come back for my
love of the sport.”
In a statement, race organisers said:
“The Isle of Man TT Races pass on their
deepest sympathy to Roger and Brad-
ley’s families, loved ones, and friends.”
The deaths follow that of Cesar Cha-
nal, who died on Saturday in a crash
during a sidecar race, where mistaken
identity meant it was initially an-
nounced it was his passenger, Olivier
Lavorel, who had been killed.
Organisers released a statement
apologising for their error.
The Welsh rider Mark Purslow was
killed in qualifying last week and North-
ern Ireland’s Davy Morgan died after an
accident in Monday’s Supersport race.WEEKENDQUIZ
1 Who scored a hat-trick for
Northampton Saints in their
65-26 win over Newcastle
Falcons last weekend?2 Name the Canada and
former Lyon defender
whom Chelsea Women
signed this week.3 Which player scored the
goal that sent Wales into
the World Cup?4 The Azerbaijan Grand
Prix takes place tomorrow.
Who won last year’s race?
5 Who won the PGA’sMemorial Tournament on
Sunday?6 Who did Iga Swiatek beat
in the French Open
women’s singles final?7 How many French Open
titles has Rafael Nadal won?8 Phil Mickelson was
among several players
suspended by the PGA Tour
this week. How many
majors has he won?9 Which golf course is
hosting the US Opennext week, starting on
Thursday?10 Name this former
England cricketer using the
following anagram. Multiple
Tank.11 Which Worcester
Warriors player scored a
hat-trick in his side’s 43-27
win over Bath on Saturday?12 Name this footballer
using the following emojis.13 Who set a Scottish
record by winning the
women’s 10,000m in
Hengelo on Sunday?14 Harry Kane scored his
50th England goal this
week. Who’s scored more?ANSWERS1 Tommy Freeman; 2 KadeishaBuchanan;3 Andriy Yarmolenko (owngoal); 4 Sergio Pérez; 5 BillyHorschel; 6 Coco Gauff; 7 14; 8 Six; 9The Country Club, Brookline; 10 LiamPlunkett; 11 Jamie Shillcock; 12Sokratis; 13 Eilish McColgan; 14Wayne Rooney (53)Guess who answerLeylah Fernandez