IT'S a long way from a run out with Chorley Rugby Union Club colts team to leaping into the record books with England.

But Chorley's Paul Grayson made the sensational journey at the weekend when he became the first Englishman to complete a full scoring sweep - try, conversion, penalty and drop goal - in a Five Nations match.

The 26-year-old former Accrington Stanley midfielder's rare feat in the 34-20 Calcutta Cup win over Scotland on Sunday sparked celebration in the Grayson household in Euxton.

Proud mum Pauline, who was at the Murrayfield match with her husband Richard, said: "I'm absolutely thrilled and delighted. He's had an up and down sort of year, so it's nice to see it come good."

Former Duke St Junior and Parklands High School pupil Paul, who now plays for Northampton, battled his way back against injury and critics to pull on the England fly-half shirt.

His brother Richard and sister Caroline were among other family members cheering him on in front of the television.

Richard, aged 27 said: "Everybody's delighted. For the past couple of weeks, there's been a lot of pressure on him, but he's come through that and concentrated on his game. That's one of his greatest assets - mental discipline."

Richard recalled how the two close brothers once turned out for Chorley RUFC under-18s at Blackpool.

"In that particular game I played fly-half and he was scrum-half, together."

The disappointment of having to return home from the British Lions tour of South Africa last year with a muscle injury is now in the past for Paul, who lives with his wife Emma in the village of Chapel Brampton just outside Northampton.

The commercial insurance broker is set to tour Australia, New Zealand and South Africa this summer when there will be cause for another celebration - Emma is expecting a baby.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.