A rugby player reached the national finals of a modelling competition.

Facing the future - Jason Rodgers, who lost out in the final of the Face of Yates competition in London, with his commemorative plate for winning the East Anglia heat. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN

Jason Rodger, who plays for Harwich and Dovercourt, had already been crowned the Face of Yates for East Anglia.

And he was narrowly pipped in the London-based final run by the bar chain.

Jason, 20, won the regional contest in Colchester at the start of September and was one of only four finalists out of the 1,500 who entered.

Although he did not win outright, Jason, of Arderne Close, Dovercourt, was named the people's favourite and enjoyed his moment in the limelight.

"It was an absolutely brilliant day," he said.

Published Monday, October 4, 2004

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