MITCHELL Webb’s appearance for Seevic at Twickenham last week ended nine years of his hurt for his family.

Mitchell’s older brothers Alex and Craig were both in the Seevic side that suffered semi-final heartbreak in the same competition back in 2006.

And their father Richard was therefore thrilled to see his youngest son take to the field at the home of English rugby.

“I was so excited and thrilled to see Mitchell run onto the pitch,” said Richard, from Westcliff.

“Alex and Craig lost 12-11 in the dying minutes of their semi-final when they were in the same Seevic side.

“They both commented after the semi-final this year that Mitchell and his team-mates had buried that ghost for them and it was a fantastic day for us all.”

Mitchell came off the bench during the second half of Seevic’s clash against Churcher’s College but was unable to stop the Thundersley sixth form college suffering a 13-5 defeat.

However, that did not stop Richard feeling incredibly proud of his son’s achievements.

“My wife and I had a few tears in our eyes when he came on and for a moment the world seemed to stop if I’m honest,” said Richard.

“I remembered the muddy mornings as a mini, the broken noses and ankle and all of the hard work that had got him there.

“But once I saw him take his position in the scrum, the noise and fervour returned and I knew that moment would stay with me forever.”

Richard also worked with six other members of Seevic’s squad during his 20 years as a coach at Rochford Hundred.

But he admits to being in awe by the way Danny Cleare has been able to enhance their development.

“What is so special at Seevic is the way in which Danny and his team bring all of the players who have long been adversaries at local clubs to a single focused unit,” said Richard.

“He and his team have taken Mitchell and the rest of the squad to places, as a coach, I could only have dreamed of and they’ve made them a success too.”

But the Webb family have enjoyed other memorable moments on the field with Alex playing first team rugby at Rochford Hundred along with Craig who then went on to captain Amersham before also playing for Southend.

Mitchell is now following in their foot-steps but Richard fully expects the 18-year-old to be the last of his off-spring to be putting on his boots.

“Fortunately for my wife our 11-year-old daughter thinks rugby is cold, wet and dirty,” laughed Richard. “So there will be no more standing on the sidelines every weekend!”