Try ace Rob Thorn called it a day at Brinkburn last week to sign for Coney Hill in Gloucestershire.

The free-scoring winger's career in the nuclear industry took him to the south-west and has decided to play for a club closer to his place of work.

If West are going to miss Thorn's tries, they will simply miss David Tighe full stop.

The 34-year-old, a top-rate scrum-half, has conceded defeat to long-term ankle problems.

Tighe had major surgery in 2007 and returned to play a leading role in West's superb North Two East title triumph. And not just with his outstanding play at scrum-half but assisting Tim Sawyer with the coaching.

He helped West make a good start in North One this season, only to need a further op in November.

It's desperately sad to see Davey call it quits but he has a beautiful family and by retiring now he can run around with his two children for years to come rather than risk doing himself some long and lasting damage.

Tighe has been a magnificent servant for West. He played in the First Division 13 years ago during Mark Ring's reign before making the long distance move – to Stockton.

But when West fell apart in 1999 and John Stabler picked up the pieces, Tighe answered the SOS sent out by Stabs. Tighe shared the number nine duties in Allied Dunbar Premiership Two in 99-00 with the lively Simon Stoker, but since the Millennium, he has been the first-choice.

With Andrew Davies currently sidelined, Tighe is the last survivor from that squad which kept the club alive.

Despite West's fall through the leagues, the Durham County player's standard never seemed to slip. Kelly recalls a brilliant try double one season at Tynedale, where he was at his best.

He was ultra-consitent and a great team man. When West needed a number 10, Tighe stepped in to the breach. When West needed someone to kick goals, he was the man for that too. When West needed a captain? Yeah, you guessed it.

Kelly can't recall hearing anyone have a bad word for him.