CREDITON RFC’s Paul Harris was honoured at Twickenham on Saturday for 50 years of service to his club.

Harris received an RFU President’s Value the Volunteer Outstanding Contribution Award from England head coach Eddie Jones following Saturday’s win over Australia, where he was a special guest, enjoying pre and post match hospitality.

At the end of this season, Harris is set to retire from the committee at Crediton, having held virtually every position within the club, including fixtures secretary, chairman and president, since getting involved half-a-century ago.

In addition, he is also a rugby historian and in 2003 wrote a book ‘Crediton Rugby – The first 125 years’. He has also researched the history of other clubs and Devon RFU

Harris has served on the committee of Devon RFU for many years and has been made a life member for his service to rugby within the county.

Three other hard-working Devon rugby volunteers were also honoured during the autumn internationals.

Cullompton’s Debbie Whiteway, Ivybridge’s Simon Garner and Richard Belli of the Plymouth Combination all received tickets to attend an England match courtesy of the Mitsubishi Motors Volunteer Recognition awards programme.

Whiteway attended the South Africa match after she was nominated for her hard work behind the scenes at Cullompton. She has put a lot of effort into child protection, has been heavily involved with facilities and funding to help the club move forward and helped develop the ‘You are not alone’ campaign.

Garner attended the New Zealand match after his work in junior rugby was recognised. He has coached many different age groups at Ivybridge and has been the junior chairman at the club for many years. He has also been an active member of the Devon RFU mini and junior committee and recently elected as the vice-chairman.

Belli went to watch England v Australia on Saturday after he was nominated for his work with the Plymouth Combination, where he is chairman. He is also a member of Plymouth Argaum.