If Maxx stays fit it he could play on for many years yet and it is hard to imagine him playing for any other team as The Blues are well and truly in his blood. As almost all players and supporters will be aware Maxx is the son of Steve Morris current Club Chairman and commonly known as Mozza . Before becoming Chairman Mozza was a Blues legend playing for many seasons as scrum half. During a recent conversation with Maxx I asked him if he had ever captained The Blues and he told me that it had been his honour to do so on a few occasions. I asked if his Dad had done so and Maxx said "No, probably on account of his being such a gobby scrum half "! Maxx has played for the First XV for around three and a half seasons and in that time has scored a highly impressive 65 tries mainly playing on the wing. His main assets are his speed his running lines and his strength and is a great sight when in full flight for the line. I am told that Maxx's nicknames are Mozza, Cheeky Mozz and Skinny Legs !

Above Maxx (first child on the left), Steve (coach on the right)

During my recent conversation with Maxx his love of The Blues and being part of the same club as his Dad quickly became clear to me. It was therefore a real surprise when he told me that after much soul searching he has decided that he is not going to play for the Club this coming season if indeed there is one. As much as it will pain him not to play Maxx has decided that after the recent horrors of Covid, financial and otherwise, he has to devote more time to the family business Moes at the Circus. Rugby at the Blues level is of course largely amateur and being in the Hospitality business Saturdays are big days. The news will disappoint players and supporters alike but it is only one season and these are very difficult times. Moes which is a Café/Restaurant at Preston Circus has great reviews on line by the way. Indeed the reviews were so good I was starting to wonder if Maxx or Mozza had written them especially the one about Maxx being charming and handsome !!! Maxx wanted me to make it clear that he will still be around for a beer or two and he would like to say a huge thank you to everybody at the Club who has helped him so far.

Above: Chip off the old block, Maxx at scrum half in his mini & youth days

Maxx a Brighton lad attended Dorothy Stringer School and then went to Hartpury College in Gloucestshire which has a very strong Rugby focus . Maxx played regularly for the College at a high level, indeed several of the team have gone on to play at the top level including Ellis Genge. Maxx made his debut for The Blues as a fresh faced seventeen year old on the wing against Chichester. He was obviously not available whilst at College and was also not around for the eighteen months when he was in New Zealand playing for Pleasant Point ( Mud Dogs) and also for South Canterbury who were a top side. When Maxx returned he had offers to play at a higher level than The Blues were then which he declined to to stay with his beloved Blues. Maxx has been ever present apart from College/ New Zealand having so far played 103 games for The Blues mainly on the wing. Last season Maxx played at Full Back which meant that he had fewer try scoring opportunities and also found that playing at the higher level "Teams figure you out quicker and catch on to what you are trying to do."

Above: Maxx and Steve in New Zealand, Maxx representing South Canterbury

During my conversation with Maxx it soon became clear that Rugby and Moes are his main interests . I asked what hobbies he had to which the reply was "Does drinking count?" . So slightly limited interests but Maxx is passionate about all three ! We will get to his drinking exploits a little later and i have already mentioned Moes so on to Rugby. Maxx told me that he considers his best position to be wing but his favourite is full back as you get so much more time and space. At five feet eleven inches and weighing eighty two kilos there is plenty of flexibility for Maxx position wise and who knows he might even end his career as a scrum half like his Dad though a less gobby one of course ! I asked Maxx to name his favourite game and favourite try and not surprisingly he chose the amazing game away to Camberley last season that got us into the Play Offs. Any Blues supporter who was there will never forget the incredible finish to the game and Maxx chose the final try as his favourite ever with a big shout to Doozer for the kick through. It still needed a great conversion from Sean O'Hagen to spark off the wild celebrations. I asked Maxx what his ambitions were and he told me that he would like to pass Trevis's number of tries and appearances whatever they may end up at and he can see himself playing on for some time including for the Vets. He told me that in his early days for The Blues he aspired to be like Alex Finch (Finchy) and that he is vey keen to pass his record of 127 tries, so far he has scored 65 tries and a total of 493 points.For a couple of seasons Maxx took the place kicks but had to stop due to hernia problems. Maxx has tremendous respect for Trevis and Finchy whom he regards as Blues legends.

I pointed out to Maxx that not only has Finchy scored more tries than him (127) but he has scored them at a rate of 0.68 per game as opposed to his own rate of 0.63 per game. Maxx responded that his tries have been scored at a higher level but when I pointed out that you can only score tries against the opposition put in front of you he was gracious enough to concede the point. Maxx did want me to remind Finchy however that he took his place on the wing and Finchy had to move to full back. Maxx loves the togetherness and brotherhood of playing for The Blues. The biggest influence in his career to date has been his Dad who coached him through the various age levels and it means a lot to have his Dad on the side watching him play. Together they have had some very special moments and hopefully there will be many more to come.

As to Maxx's character everybody I have spoken to has mentioned that he is great fun and always thinking ahead. One player said that this mirrors Maxx on the pitch where his vision of space and try opportunities are exceptional. Being only 24 and with the hernia problem being resolved Maxx can only get better still. The other thing that everybody I spoke to mentioned was Maxx's love of a drink. I understand that on the drive back from the Camberley game Maxx downed more bottles of Rosé than I can pints and it turned into a rather eventful evening to say the least. There is also the time a few seasons ago when the Team Coach got stuck on the M25. Maxx by all accounts had downed a few and decided to get off the coach and try to set a speed record running down the M25, starkers!!! I also heard talk of Bar Dives from time to time but I didn't ask for details! All part of Rugby life and the craic of the game. I would like to finish by saying that I am sure that I am not alone in wanting to see Maxx back in a Blues shirt again as soon as possible and also to wish everyone the best of health.

Written by Steve Powell