After a promising season Penrith are looking forward to the new challenges ahead in the RFU’s reshaped League landscape.
Joint captains Adam Howe and Jamie McNaughton were both optimistic at the club’s presentation evening suggesting there was no reason why the side could not realistically have a real go at promotion.
While saying their thank yous and presenting gifts to the coaching staff and back-up teams the pair revealed that the vast majority of the squad will be available next season.
First XV manager Mike Sanderson gave out the senior side’s trophies starting with the easy one for top try scorer. For the third time in his Penrith career it was won by Jamie McNaughton.
The Players’ Player was awarded to Andy Muir, who had started the season with the intention of nailing down the hooker’s role but ended up playing almost every position in the forwards, and on the Isle of Man appeared in the centre, on many occasions solving the management’s selection problems.
The Player of the Year has often gone to the same home as the players’ player but this season the management opted to go with Arran Pamphilon.
He had an excellent season being the glue holding together a gifted set of Penrith backs, being outstanding in attack and defence.
After coming back after a serious ankle injury Chris Jackson picked up the Most Improved Player, cementing his place in the side and showing a tremendous attitude.
The Young Player of the Year award went to Archie Rattray and it was pointed out many 17-year-olds have made an impact in senior rugby but nearly always in the three quarters.
Young Rattray had come into the much more physical world of the back row and had really made his mark.
Tom Dawson reviewed the 2021/22 campaign for the 2nds and then looked forward to the difficult task that lies ahead next season in Cumbria 1 where they will be up against many of the counties first teams.
Manager Chris Watson then distributed the trophies with Dylan Thompson picking up the Young Players award for some outstanding performances and Nick Dudson won both the Players’ Player award and Player of the Year, again on the back of some remarkable games.
