ENERGETIC rugby union player Bob Barrie is still scrumming down – at the age of 72!

Sporty Bob Barrie retired from work seven years ago but still turns out each Saturday for Bury Rugby Union Club third team despite lining up against players more than 50 years his junior.

Bob, who was recently congratulated by the Blood Donor Service for donating his 100th pint of blood, said he does not know when he will give up playing rugby, but will listen to his body.

“The team doesn’t train, but I like to keep fit by joining old friends in Sale every Monday for an intensive workout. It means I can keep enjoying my rugby.”

And team-mates say that, far from receiving special treatment due to his senior citizen status, Bob leads by example with his fierce tackles in the pack. “Bob never shuns a hard tackle and he covers more than his fair share of ground during a game. I hope I’m as fit when I’m 72,” said team captain John Westwood. Former fruit-and-veg seller Bob, of Waddington Close, Starling, was born in Scotland but moved south and lived in Sale for many years.

The father-of-three played for Old Salesians for 40 years until it folded, and then he represented Ashton-on-Mersey for eight years, before moving to Bury RUFC in 2011 when he got married and moved to Starling.

John said: “At our level, you can wear gold shorts to show you’re over 50 so the opposition soften up the tackle, but Bob doesn’t do it. Bob looks a lot younger than he is but when people do find out his age it gets people talking, mainly because he is still so athletic in his 70s.”

Bob, who scored his “first try in years” earlier this month, added: “For me, one of the biggest attractions of rugby is being able to take a hard tackle and so I like to be treated just like any other player. Everyone is made welcome and I do take the younger players under my wing from time to time.”

Brian Forrest, a friend of Bob’s from Bury HF Walking Club, said: “He is a very active guy and is quite inspirational to others.”