Former St Albans student wins �25,000 by kicking a rugby ball

AWESOME was the word used by Stuart Tinner, the man who won a quarter of a million pounds last week for a single kick of a rugby ball. Former student at St Columba s College in St Albans, Stuart was the envy of millions when he was one of three spectators

AWESOME was the word used by Stuart Tinner, the man who won a quarter of a million pounds last week for a single kick of a rugby ball.

Former student at St Columba's College in St Albans, Stuart was the envy of millions when he was one of three spectators selected to take part in a crossbar challenge at half time during a game between Saracens and South Africa at Wembley Stadium.

Stuart, 24, went first and in front of more than 40,000 people, he kicked off his shoes and cracked the ball straight onto the crossbar, winning both money and hero status.

He said this week: "It's been wall-to-wall press ever since I kicked it. But it's awesome. I could get used to this life."

Stuart, a Job Centre plus advisor in London, met the Saracens team after the final whistle.

"They all said it was an amazing kick. I think they were impressed," he said.

He plans to move out of his mum and dad's home in Welwyn and buy a car.

But before then, he has to make good on a promise he made to South African legend Francois Pienaar moments before he took the �250,000 kick.

"He asked me what I would do if I won the money," he said. "I told him the first thing would be to buy dinner for the cheerleaders. I'd been admiring their performance!