Matty Boustead picked up Penrith’s Player of the Year award at the club’s presentation night.
He was described as one of the club’s classiest players and had had a great season, even playing out of position whenever the need occurred without complaint and often played when not absolutely fully fit.
He’d limp off the pitch on a Saturday only to turn up training and grin when asked if he was OK.
The coveted Players’ Player award was a close contest but the winner was Scott Lancaster, who had a 100% appearance record and had given 100% throughout the whole campaign.
He had great physical presence, never backed away from confrontation and this award followed two county cup final man of the match awards.
Skipper Adam Howe also played in every game, Rob Coward missed one and Ryan Banks and Andy Rogers were each absent for a couple.
Club president David Snaith had addressed the gathering before introducing the captain who gave his summary of the season and then team manager Mike Sanderson who presented the awards.
He had started with the top try scorer, Joe Kirkup, who had crossed for 11 tries which may have seemed a poor return compared with the top tally last season of 22 but it was pointed out in the circumstances those 11 tries were probably much more valuable.
Joe had moved to the club in September at the start of the most difficult period in David Preston’s 10-year tenure and his contribution had been invaluable. Mike Sanderson described him as a “godsend.”
Other leading try scorers were George Graham on 10, Archie Rattray on 8 and Rob Coward with 7.
Most Improved Player went to Tom Kirk, who had started the season at scrum half for the first team and was brave and more than competent but dropped back to the Seconds when others became available to ply his trade.
He then came back in the away game at the Wirral at the end of the season and looked a different player. His confidence had blossomed, he was happy to take on more responsibility, and the improvement was marked.
There was plenty of choice for Young Player of the Year and the two previous winners Coward and Rattray were still teenagers.
Ashton Hook and Richy Dadley both made telling contributions and James Bent had scored some wonderful tries but there was only really one contender and that was Isaac Murray.
He had come into the side at 17 years old and looked unfazed, unworried and with all the time and composure of a veteran. He had excelled at full back and stand off, scored three classy tries and a drop goal.
His father, one of the best players in modern times to pull on a Penrith shirt, was rightly very proud.
