Penrith Rugby Club’s two senior teams held their well-attended presentation night at the club when outgoing president Charles Graves acted as master of ceremonies.
After a roast beef dinner the evening’s official proceedings began and in the absence of second team manager Chris Watson, incoming club president David Snaith did the honours.
He had been with the side throughout the season, lending a hand and running touch so knew exactly how the team had performed and how they had progressed. He complimented everyone involved on and off the pitch on their first season in the Cumbria league competing against other club’s first teams.
They were undefeated at home all year and although they were disappointed to be in the bottom half of the league when it was split at the turn of the year they them went on and topped the Cumbia Conference 2 in the second half of the season.
It had been pleasing to see the development of a number of youngsters who’d gone on to play a major part of the first team’s success.
He announced the awards and players’ player was Robbie Phillipson, young player went to Lewis Elliott and most improved player was Jack Huddart.
Moving on to the first team joint captains Jamie McNaughton and Adam Howe reflected on an almost perfect season winning the league and retaining the county cup. They went on to say their many thanks yous to the back-up staff and club officials.
First team manager Mike Sanderson then presented the awards and top try scorer for the fourth time was Jamie McNaughton with a total of 22 tries in 22 games. This impressive total had only been bettered by himself, and 20 years ago by Robert Lee.
There had been plenty of choice for young player of the year, Archie Rattray who won it last time out was still a teenager and played like a veteran. Dylan Thompson had started the season as sometime replacement and had ended the season being selected for all the big games.
Aaron Cavaghan had played a big role in the cup final and had also not let the side down when he had played in the back row or on the wing. Sam Kirkman had made a sizable impression even though he had only played four games but there could only really be one winner.
What Rob Coward had done was unprecedented. He had got his chance off the bench as a 17-year-old at Stockton in January, scored a try and a conversion and gone on to play in every game and score a total of 15 tries in 12 games and also added 14 points with the boot.
Dylan Thompson picked up the most improved player for his progress during the year and his excellent attitude and application.
For the first time the players’ player award was shared. Nine players had received at least one vote of the 20 cast showing the quality of performance throughout the squad but the top two, as judged by the players, were Archie Rattray and Adam Howe.
Howe also picked up the player of the year with the management team also being spoilt for choice but for his overall commitment and level of performance he had got the nod.
The final trophy to be presented was the league trophy, and as no one from the county or the RFU had seen fit to present it, Charles Graves put the trophy in the hands of joint captains McNaughton and Howe.
