Steve started playing rugby at Havant in the Under 13s in 1983. In his early years he played as a flanker and only moved into his recognised position as centre when the Under 16s found themselves short of centres, but with an excess of forwards. He quickly established this as his position developing a quick turn of speed to add to his already recognised tackling ability.

He was a regular member of a strong colts side from 1987 to 89 and played his first game for the 1st XV at the age of 17 in a friendly against Trojans. He played his first league game for Hav in 1990 and in all he made 137 league appearances. He was a member of the promotion winning side of 1991-92 and the side that nearly won promotion to Div 2 in 1992-93. In his last full season (2000-01) he was awarded the HRFC FPA Player of the Year.

A regular for Hampshire for much of his Havant career, Steve was a member of the Under 21 side that lost in the final at Twickenham in 1991 and was the Hampshire Player of the Year in 1995. His other representative honours include English Universities while at Nottingham, and several games for London Division, including the series against Argentina, South Africa A and Queensland in 1996.