Bucks lost another sporting icon this week with the death of Ron Syrett - 60 years on from gaining his first England Rugby Union cap. 

The former Wycombe and Wasps flanker, made 11 international appearances between 1958 and 1962, sadly passed away on May 20 aged 87. 

He helped England to an outright Five Nations Championship in his first season and a shared title with France in 1960, when he scored a try against Scotland. 

His second Test was in a famous victory against Australia at Twickenham when Peter Jackson scored the late winning try.

Ron also won honours with Middlesex, London Counties and the RAF after taking up the sport at Wycombe Royal Grammar School. 

It was there that he met Ted Woodward and their rugby careers ran in parallel, right up to international level. 

Both sons of butchers and lifelong friends, Ron married Ted’s sister Jean, and they worked together in well-known Wycombe Sports outfitters, Woodward & Stalder.

Ron was also a talented cricketer, captaining Bucks Colts and playing at Wycombe for many years.

This was during the 1950s and 60s, the same time as brother Dennis was making his mark as goalkeeper with Wycombe Wanderers.

“We both played a lot of sport in an effort to get out of our father’s butcher’s shop in Naphill,” recalls Dennis, a hero of the Blues magnificent

Wembley adventure in the FA Amateur Cup back in 1957. 

“There was no rivalry between us. In fact, Ron who was 18 months older than myself spent a lot of time trying to keep me out of trouble. 

“He was a terrific brother, a marvellous husband to Jean and a great father to Jackie, Jane and Gayle. We will all miss him terribly, but he had not been well for the past six months or so.”

Ron, who celebrated his 87th birthday on January 5, was born in Beaconsfield and died there on May 20. 

A celebration of his life was held at St Mary’s and All Saints Church in Beaconsfield on Thursday, May 31 at 10.30am, with guests welcomed back to the nearby White Hart immediately afterwards.

A family-only cremation took place on Friday at 9.30am. No flowers are requested, but donations would be welcome to the British Heart Foundation.