ELLIOTT Brown paid tribute to Nuns physio Lee Young after making a marvelous try-scoring return to action with Nuneaton Saxons – less than nine months after undergoing major knee surgery.

The long-serving captain scored two tries and kicked four conversions in a virtuoso 50-minute display at inside centre as the Nuns second string defeated Burton at Liberty Way.

It takes his rehabilitation onto the advanced stage as he prepares to make a return to first team action following his surgery back in January.

"I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am now with my recovery if it wasn't for Lee," said Brown. "I am so lucky to have known him for pretty much half of my life now.

"Not just with this injury, but with other injuries I've had too, he's been such a big factor in me getting back out there each time on the pitch and I owe a big debt of gratitude to him."

Brown suffered his knee injury in May 2016 while playing for Warwickshire.

He missed the majority of the 2016/17 campaign, although he did make some appearances while still injured and awaiting surgery.

After resisting the urge to play during Nuneaton's pre-season campaign, Brown was unleashed on Burton and was pleased with his afternoon's work – albeit a little worse for wear for his endeavours.

"It was great to be back out there with the lads," he said. "The pre-season games probably came a bit too soon and I held it back to play with the Saxons.

"I'm hurting all over and I think that's because I've been placing so much focus on the recovery of my knee, other areas maybe suffer a bit.

"But I hope now to keep building on my fitness with the Saxons and hopefully get back in contention for the first team."

The return of a fit and firing Elliott Brown would be a huge boost to head coach Huw Thomas, who has seen a raft of experienced players depart for pastures new this summer, following a third-place finish last season.

While Elliott was busy helping the Saxons' cause, the Nuns kicked off their Midland Premier campaign with a 38-32 defeat at league newcomers Doncaster Phoenix.

Registering both a try-scoring and losing bonus point, there were plenty of positives to be salvaged from the opening day defeat – according to Brown.

He said: "Obviously I wasn't there because I was playing with the Saxons, but from what I hear the lads were pretty annoyed with the way they started the game, giving them a big lead.

"But they responded really well and to get two points out of the game certainly shows the lads didn't roll over.

"We've lost a lot of lads over the summer but in their place is a lot of young, talented players who I have every confidence are going to be quality for this club.

"Me and a few other of the longer-serving lads who are still at the club got together to talk about what we can do to keep the club moving forward and help the young lads who have joined the club.

"Looking at the squad from Saturday, there's only Tim Douglas and Matt Gibbs who are over 30, and Gibbo has only just turned 30!

"So it's important the senior players step up and help out whatever way they can."

Story courteous of the Nuneaton News