Tributes paid to Northampton Saints try-scorer David Pinches
Northampton rugby community honours a beloved figure
Tributes are being paid to former Northampton Saints player David Pinches, who has died at the age of 69.
Pinches was best known for scoring one of the club’s most memorable tries, with his famous effort coming during a 6-4 win over Birmingham Moseley at Franklin’s Gardens in 1976.
The victory secured Saints the Daily Mail Pennant, awarded to the winners of the first merit league table.
A centre, Pinches made 117 appearances for Northampton and scored a further 10 tries during his time at the club.
Northampton Saints said he was “admired and loved by everyone connected with the club”.
He was also a well-known figure at Northampton Casuals RFC, where he later captained the side, and was praised for his “positive, enthusiastic attitude to life and to rugby”.
A father of two, Christopher and Mark, Pinches spent most of his working life as a printer at Arkle Print in Moulton Park.
In retirement, the Pitsford resident remained active, enjoying regular walks and playing pickleball.
Northampton Saints said he died peacefully on Sunday, 17 May, following a long illness with cancer, at Cynthia Spencer Hospice in Northampton.