MATTY LEES is at last enjoying some down time with his baby daughter – and can laugh at the series of events that led him to dash from a St Helens’ play-off game for her birth.
The England prop and his wife Beth welcomed their first child, Sienna Rose, in September but it was not without drama.
After being substituted late in the first half of an eliminator tie at Leeds Rhinos, Lees was told that Beth was in labour and he left the ground to travel back across the Pennines.
St Helens managed to win the game, thanks to an after-the-hooter Shane Wright try, and all ended well for new club captain Lees too.
“I only just made it, she was born just after midnight,” he reflects.
“It was a stressful drive from Leeds, with the game still going on. The boys got the job done after the whistle so I was made up for them, and then for my little girl.
“She (Beth) was a week overdue, so it could have happened any time. I remember asking my wife, ‘when do you think it will happen, surely it won’t be during a game?’ She said she was alright and I left for the game.
“She was messaging me saying she’d nip into hospital to have a check-up and see if things are moving in the right direction. I had a message just as we got to the Leeds ground and she said they were keeping her in, but it could have been hours or days (away).
“My mindset was always to play the game and see what happens after. The staff knew what was going on. Before kick-off, there was still no sign.
“Then I came off after 30 minutes, Wello (then head coach Paul Wellens) was down on the bench and said: ‘Things have taken a turn, if you don’t leave now you’ll miss the birth of your child’. He was happy for me to go.
“It was a really difficult position for me to be in, but it’s family first over everything. As important as that game was, my family would always come first.
“The club was great with me. Everyone made sure I was in the best position to play, but also there was a plan every step of the way. Someone drove my car up for me so I had the option if it came about!”
Lees returned to play the following week as Saints’ title hopes were ended in the semi-finals by Hull KR.
The 27-year-old spent much of the following month in camp for the Ashes, as England suffered a 3-0 series defeat to Australia.