PROUD dad Ron Dawson has described the moment he ran onto the pitch to congratulate his World Cup winning son Matt, just minutes after he had set up the winning move.

Ron and wife Lois had been in tears after Jonny Wilkinson kicked England to World Cup immortality but they recovered their composure to greet their son and former Royal Grammar School student as England proudly paraded the Webb Ellis Trophy.

Ron said: "My wife and I cried at the final whistle. We then managed to get down onto the pitch after the game and when they came round on their lap of honour, Matt had the cup. We were so delighted to to be able to congratulate him and he was delighted to see us.

"I said to him: 'How do you feel?' "He said: 'It hasn't sunk in yet and I'm just enjoying the moment. It's fantastic.' "That's the only thing I remember. You're just on such a high. Then he said, 'Come here' and the cameras were clicking away.

"It was such an incredible moment because we had the cup with us.

"To go to the final and watch England was a dream come true. It's hard to describe how you feel. At first, we were a bit gloomy, then a bit excited when we started to get on top and then a bit concerned in the second half when the Australians pulled back level.

"Then in extra time, it was absolute euphoria. It's something I will never be able to experience again."

Ron, from Marlow, added: "We always go to support him. We don't mind watching.

"We went to all the games and the atmosphere in all of them was incredible because of all the support."

It was an extra-special time for Ron and Lois after being there for Matt from the start of his career at Marlow, while experiencing the highs and lows with him along the way.

Ron said: "He's tough mentally and tough physically.

"He's had a lot of set-backs in his life with injuries and not being picked for England but he's just got on with it and actually come back stronger each time.

"Before he went on tour with the British Lions in 1997, he was very badly injured against Argentina A.

"He had to come back here to recuperate because there was nothing he could do.

"He just wanted to get back and he did.

"People tell me when he was at Marlow they realised he was going to be something special at rugby.

"I was there helping with the coaching but you don't often see if yourself when you're the parent.

"But lots of people said they saw something special.

"Then he went to RGS and Colin Tattersall took it up and he really brought him to the front.

"Between Colin and Ken Williams Marlow coach, they really brought the best out of him."

The World Cup win comes at a great time for Matt, with a testimonial dinner taking place last night.

The Dawsons were hopeful of more money being raised through an auction, with ten per cent of money raised going to the NSPCC.