GOSFORD All Blacks began their first league match of 2015 in sombre silence in memory of player Stephen Edwards, who died on New Year’s Eve.

The 19-year-old, nicknamed “The Prince”, died in a motorbike crash in his home country of Bermuda.

At 2pm on Saturday, the same time his funeral began in Devonshire, Bermuda, his Kidlington-based rugby team started their home match with a minute’s silence.

The team went on to win against Slough 33-8.

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Captain Andy Simm told the Oxford Mail: “It’s fair to say that since it happened as a club we have had a hard time.

“It was not the easiest warm-up we’ve ever had, but we managed to keep it relatively professional. I’m immensly proud of what we did.”

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Mr Edwards, above, played for the 1st XV team in the 2013/14 season, scoring eight tries, helping them win the County Shield and National Area Vase.

Mr Simm, 29, said: “There’s no better way of respecting him than going out there and doing what he loved. To lose someone who was such a big part of what this club did last season was a big blow and a bitter way to start 2015.”

Head coach Matt Watts, 44, said: “It was really hard trying to talk to the team and keep your head in the strategy for the game when your thoughts were obviously with him.

“It was very emotional and very difficult.”

Mr Edwards was the last person to win the Gosford All Blacks Young Player of the Year award, which will now be renamed in his honour.

In a post-match toast to a crowded room, Littlemore resident Mr Simms said: “Stephen was very talented and he had the whole world in front of him.

“He was undoubtedly the nicest kid I’ve ever met. He wouldn’t say boo to a goose.

“The outpouring of emotion that we have had since New Year’s Eve says how much he meant to us. It’s still not easy to talk about. We’ll never forget him and what he brought to his club.”

He finished the toast with a quote from the club’s condolences book, which will be sent to Mr Edward’s family: “He used to run like the wind, now he’s up there running with it.”

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