Tim Mathias will not be packing down in Plymstock Albion Oaks’ scrum this season

PLYMSTOCK Albion Oaks coach Tim Mathias has decided to hang up his boots.

The former Plymouth Albion and Launceston prop combined coaching with playing last season in his debut campaign with Oaks.

He helped the club finish fourth in the Cornwall/Devon League, but this year the 35-year-old teacher will be concentrating on the coaching side due to a persistent shoulder injury.  However, fellow coach Richard West will continue to play.

Mathias said: “I’ve finished now because of my shoulder. I struggled through most of last year and I just can’t do it anymore with my job.

“I’m going to stop playing but Rich will still play, which is good because he leads the players really well on the pitch and I think they all look up to him.”

Mathias got a brief taste of watching at the end of last season and he knows he will not find it easy.

“It was tough the final four games of last season, especially when we drew with Bude up here (Horsham Fields) when we should have won. That was real hard work watching from the side.

“But I’ve been lucky, I’ve had nearly 20 years of playing a decent level of rugby and I wouldn’t have changed anything really.

“I know it is going to be tough watching, but I think I’ll get used to it.

“I think it is probably the right time to step back and let a few of the younger ones have a go.”