WHAT a big few days for Bolu Fagborun!
Not only did the 18-year-old get his A-level results (A grades in business studies and leisure and recreation, a B in general studies and a C in English) but he also earned a full Giants debut at Widnes yesterday.
While the team slumped 24-18, the winger produced a bright display, doing well to deal with an early `bomb' by Willie Peters and featuring in a string of attacking moves.
Signed from Dudley Hill last summer, the Bradford-based player now plans to follow the likes of Jon Grayshon and Chris Plume by combining education and rugby.
"I've got a place to study business management at Bradford University, so I should be able to combine that with training," said Fagborun, whose only other first-team appearance was from the bench against Bradford Bulls at Odsal in June, when he caught the eye during his 10-minute stint by tracking back to make a trysaving tackle on Robbie Paul.
"Others have managed it in the past, so it's not impossible to do both things."
Mind you, the big call-up for the Halton Stadium clash meant he almost missed out on receiving his exam results in person at Queensbury School.
"I had to rush over there after training with the Giants, and I only just made it in time," he explained.
The fact that he was called to the Thursday work-out was the first sign that an outing at Widnes was on the cards:
"That's when they start running through the specific things for a match, so I took it as a good sign, although I thought I'd be on the bench.
"It was great to start the game, and although it was very intense, I enjoyed it.
"I knew they would probably try to target me with a few early kicks, and taking that early catch really helped to settle the nerves."
* The Giants Junior Academy side were 62-8 winners over Leigh at Laund Hill. Full report tomorrow.
* The Flyers coach for St Helens on Friday leaves from St Pat's at 5.30. The cost is £9 and bookings can be made at the Tony Iredale office.
