Tributes and tears for club hero Max

By jhayward

NORTH Dorset Rugby Club is in mourning after the sudden death of club captain Max Biles at 29.

Mr Biles, who lived in Mere, died of natural causes in the early hours of last Thursday.

Members of the rugby community across the region have expressed their shock and sadness at the death of Mr Biles, who was a popular figure at the Gillingham club.

He had appeared in rude health when he led the club's first team out in their away victory against Bradford-upon-Avon the previous Saturday.

Chris Brickell, president of North Dorset Rugby Club, said: "We have just been devastated by this. Max was an incredibly fit, strong player, so this has come as a total shock. People are in a dreadful state."

Mr Brickell led a flood of tributes to Mr Biles.

He said: "Max was an incredibly involved captain and always made himself available for all the youngsters' prizegiving ceremonies and watched the Minis and Colts play. He even wrote and appeared in the club's panto. He will be missed for his sense of fun and his enjoyment of life. His family are terribly upset."

Mr Biles leaves his mother Liz, older sister Briony and younger brother Leo.

It is the second tragedy to strike the family in recent times. Mr Biles' father, Colonel Christopher Biles, was killed in 1994 when the Chinook helicopter he was in crashed on the Mull of Kintyre.

The family moved to Motcombe in 1992 and then to Mere in 1999.

Mr Biles, who had played for North Dorset for around six years, also leaves a long-term partner, Amy Roberts, who was by his side in his final hours.

The cause of death has not yet been confirmed but it is believed Mr Biles may have suffered a seizure as a result of an unknown underlying heart condition.

Simon Keates, 31, who played alongside Mr Biles, said: "Max was an extremely popular guy and led the team from the front. He was a great example of what a club captain should be. We are all still in shock.

Team-mate Dave Stickland, 25, said: "Words cannot express quite what a genuinely nice guy he was. He always had a smile on his face and we are having trouble coming to terms with what has happened. Our thoughts are with his family."

James Gower, captain of rivals Sherborne RFC, said: "He was competitive on the field but always ready to share a laugh with the opposition after the game. He epitomised the way the game should be played."

Mr Brickell said that similar tributes had been sent from clubs across Dorset and Wiltshire.

Mr Biles was formerly head boy at Clayesmore Prep School in Iwerne Minster before going on to Canford School and Durham University where he graduated with an honours degree in anthropology.

He worked at HM Prison Guy's Marsh where he led inmates on training programmes. He was also a keen and gifted writer, and played cricket with the Idlers of Salisbury and Harnham.

A measure of the esteem and affection felt for Mr Biles is demonstrated on a Facebook page set up in his memory, which has attracted more than 400 members in the short time since his death.

A private cremation will take place in Salisbury tomorrow morningand will be followed by a memorial service at St Mary's Church in Gillingham at 2pm.

At the request of Mr Biles' family, the home game against Corsham will go ahead as planned on Saturday at 2.30pm. There will be a minute's silence followed by a minute's applause and Mr Biles' number four shirt will be taken on to the pitch before being retired.