Bell set to ring in 300 in Zingari humdinger

Why retire when you are still having fun?

And Chris Bell has had more fun than anyone.

The veteran Zingari-Richmond loose forward will bring up his 300th premier game for the club at Montecillo Park tomorrow.

No-one else is documented as reaching that milestone in the Dunedin premier grade rugby.

The 39-year-old is in uncharted territory.

And maybe no-one will make it to 300 again.

Veteran Zingari-Richmond loose forward Chris Bell will bring up 300 premier matches for his team...
Veteran Zingari-Richmond loose forward Chris Bell will bring up 300 premier matches for his team at Montecillo Park tomorrow. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
It has taken Bell 21 years to reach the milestone, after all.

Most of us cannot even commit to five-minute YouTube clip with out getting bored these days.

"It is still good fun. You look forward to it every year and I’m definitely going to miss it when I leave," he said.

Incredibly Bell, who made his premier debut in 2003, has barely got a scratch on him. It is like he is indestructible and that has been one of the secrets to his longevity.

"You’ve just got to know how to get around the field. I think I learnt from all the older boys where to hide and how to cheat," he joked.

He also keeps getting selected.

His value to the side was never more obvious than during the 2016 season.

Bell had played 151 consecutive games, but took a Saturday off to go duck-shooting.

The Dragons lost 137-0 to a talented University side.

Bell returned the following week and helped his side beat Taieri.

He is a good player. He runs clever lines and knows his way to the try line.

But he is also the type of guy who helps lift the team whether he has a good game or not.

A big crowd is expected to show up to watch Bell bring up the milestone in what shapes as an exciting game against Green Island, including

his wife Anna and sons Spencer (6) and Noah (3).

Bell’s mother Robyn will also be in her spot. She has barely missed a game in the past two decades.

 

 

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