News

And so,a week after the rugby season finally finished the great,the good (and the not so good) gathered at the Rugby Club last Friday for the end of season Dinner and Presentation Night.

With MC Rob Price guiding us through the night proceedings started at 20.00 as President Lynn Thomas said grace.An excellent roast beef dinner was served before the serious business of the night commenced.

Chairman John Griffiths made a short speech welcoming the guests before the MC introduced our guest speaker,the distinguished journalist,author and regular on Scrum V,Peter Jackson.Peter talked on a wide range off rugby related subjects and issues,including his all time greatest world XV and the fact that rugby at the top level had become a game for giants (many of the backs now are bigger than most forwards of the sixties). 
 

Next up was captain Richie Howson's speech,an what a great speech it was.Full of passion and humour Richie praised the integration of the team that led to such a successful season that all came together with an unbeaten run of eleven games in the second half of the season.He also made a big point of the blend of youth and experience the team,with the number of youth players that were a big part of the success.There was also praise for all the work done for by the coaches Dan Williams and Leigh Davies,much of what they do goes unseen - Dan's optimism in difficult throughout the season was unbelievable.Richie also thanked the committee,all those who help in the background,Gem reporters,touch judges,Ceri and all who help her and of course our Guest Speaker Peter Jackson.

His final thanks was to the legendary prop Dave Breed who has finally hung up his boots after many years of service on and off the field.Dave started at the club many years ago and has been a fixture in the 1sts the whole time.Deciding that this was his last year he gave his every thing and without him we would have been unable to field a front row at times.His enthusiasm was a lesson for all.Thanks Breedy for a great career.And thanks to Richie for a great speech.

Now it was time for the Annual Awards Presentation.Most of the playing awards were presented by Coach Dan Williams with great passion and praise for the season - here are the awards
 

W.G.Thomas Award Non-Playing Clubman of the Year - the evergreen Richard Kllick

Players' Clubman - Dave Breed

Top Points Scorer - Ben Wright

Top Try Scorer - James Phillips

Most Improved Player - Jack Anderson

Young Player - Craig Boxall

Players' Player - Richie Howson

Player of the Year - Alex Guard

Vic Vaughan Award Supporters' Player of the Year - Alex Guard

Well done to all the recipients and indeed to all the players,coaches for such a good season - you all deserved an award.

Finally many thanks to all who worked in the background to make the night a success -all those who helped to set the room up for the evening,Andy Tucker and all his workers who provided an excellent meal and served with good humour throughout the evening,Ceri Owen and all who worked the bar and cleared as the night went,Rob Price and his helpers for all the work in putting the night together and keeping a cool head throughout (!),and to all who attended to make it such a good evening.Apologies if anyone has been omitted.

The next big event is of course the Lions Tour to New Zealand - all the  matches (that includes all three Tests) will be screened at the club - kicking off at 08.35.

Please contact the club on Thursday evenings prior to the game for full details 

RV/RK