New approach for Aspatria RU revealed as players pick up awards at presentation night

Adam Cavanagh did the double, picking up the Players’ Player trophy and Supporters Player of the Year at Aspatria RU.

Aspatria announced a new approach to on and off-field management at the club’s presentation night.

Head coach Mike Scott revealed that Aspatria will no longer have a single captain, but instead will operate a leadership team.

Duties will be shared by two senior players, Jack Clegg and Phil Dixon, who are two experienced campaigners.

They will co-captain and control the action on game days but additionally assist player management during the season.

The leadership group is completed by the appointment of two deputies in Josh Watson and Jack Gaskell.

They will work with the co-captains, with the aim of gaining experience and to provide continuity when they may be called upon to take over the lead roles.

The talisman former captain, Matthew Atkinson, is stepping down from that position but will remain involved on the playing side. Work and family commitments prevent him continuing in a lead role.

Long-serving number eight Gary Hodgson was said to be ‘definitely, maybe’ hanging up his boots and when called to the stage for a presentation was given a standing ovation. Bower Park has seen some great players over the years and Gary certainly takes his place among this group.

Club president Alan Bowes and organiser Jack Clegg had started the formal proceedings with a heartfelt thank you to the vast team of volunteers who keep Bower Park alive and well.

Ryan Scott won the award for Aspatria’s most consistent player.

There are loads but a special mention was reserved for Bill Clark, who most days can be found on the premises undertaking a job that no one else fancies. Bill is a living description of a ‘one club man’.

The presentation was preceded by a review of the season courtesy of Derek Benson for the Eagles and head coach Mike Scott and Graham Andrews for the 1^st XV.

The near collapse of second team rugby in Cumbria was a clear concern from Derek but better news was to follow from the first team coach.

He concentrated on the potential of Aspatria’s young squad as they head towards a new Cumbria/North East Level 6 league. Promotion to this league was hard won and in fact it went down to the final game of the season.

Despite the late drama the league provided a valuable learning curve for a large group of Under-23 players who dominate the current playing squad.

They will be able to kick on but Scott was under no illusions regarding the challenge that lies ahead and emphasised that the team could not afford a slow start to the season; a factor that came close to costing the Black Reds dear last time out.

The first team squad used 41 different players during its 26-game season of which 17 were under the age of 23 and he spoke encouragingly about the growing responsibilities of this group.

Squad training will commence in July building up to two pre-season friendlies – away to Tarleton on 13^th August and home to Kendal on 20^th August.

Pre-season training will be twice per week on Monday and Thursday.