On Saturday 20th May 2023, the annual awards dinner was held at Mortimer Park, with a huge number of 1stXV, 2ndXV, 3rdXV, 4thXV and Colts attending, together with their coaches and support staff, volunteer or otherwise, and representatives of the Alacadoos.
This year, the Master of Ceremonies was Club Chairman, Simon ‘Norm’ Green-Price, so what could possibly go wrong?
His opening words, whilst praising all who contributed to the success of our club, singled out past player and prominent Alacadoo, Huw Davies, who was that day attending his 40th Awards Dinner. In return Huw, in his own inimitable way, made some very appreciative comments about Norm, which brought the house down. If you know, you know.
The awards soon got underway, with the Colts being first off the blocks.
RMS COLTS
Coach, Joff Bemand reported on the season, with the lads unfortunately falling at the first jump in the National Cup, and going down to old adversaries, Ledbury, in the North Midlands Cup Final. However, for the third time on the trot, the lads were North Midlands Colts League Champions.
This season’s awards went to:
Most Improved Player – Jointly to Sam Thomas and Rory Blyth
Players’ Player – Alex Powell. Unfortunately Alex couldn’t be with us…
Player of the Year – Warwick Archer
4th XV
Jamie Fletcher reported on the success of the Fourths this season, congratulating all players for their commitment.
This season’s awards went to:
Top Bloke – Andy Williams
Most Improved Player – Will Hargraves. Unfortunately Will couldn’t be with us so his award was received by his father.
Player of the Year – Jamie Williams. Unfortunately Jamie could not be with us…
3rd XV
Coach Trev Bufton reported that, in the first season within the league structure, the Thirds had amazingly ended up mid-table. This was an incredible achievement purely achieved by the commitment given by the large pool of players.
This season’s awards went to:
Top Bloke – Tom Sankey
Most Improved Player – Dave Jennings
Player of the Year – Joe Whitehead
2nd XV
Coach Owen Jones congratulated all players on becoming League Champions, with a 100% win record. Unfortunately, due to RFU rules, they will not be promoted. However the RFU agreed to a sideways move, meaning that they will at least be taking on a different set of clubs next season.
This season’s awards went to:
Most Improved Player – Luke Corbett
Player of the Year – Jonty Monk
1st XV
Forwards Coach, George Thomas, reminded us that this season, the Ones had achieved the highest position in National Rugby in Luctonians’ history. He praised not only the players, Head Coach Ryan Watkins and Coach Simon Cross, but also Strength & Conditioning Coach Luke Bennett and Sports Therapists Ed Brander & Molly Powis for making this possible.
This season’s awards went to:
Top Try Scorer – Ben Link
Most Improved Player – Harry Whiteman. Unfortunately Harry couldn’t be with us, so his award was received by his father.
Players’ Player – Aiden Cheshire
Player of the Season – Aiden Cheshire
And finally
Luctonians Clubman of the Year
This season, our club’s most prestigious award went to someone who has been embedded in our club for many years as manager throughout each agegroup. A true organiser, she has now been the RMS Colts Manager for several years and, along with the coaches, is responsible for their incredible success as League Champions for the third season on the trot.
This season’s award went to:
Carmen Jennings
So, That’s it then for this season, undoubtedly an extremely successful one all round, and congratulations to all of our award winners.
We did ask that, with ‘Norm’ as MOC what could go wrong. Well…
