Malvern Skipper Watkins wins player of the year award
MAY
At Malvern Rugby Club’s annual dinner last Friday the accolade of Player of the Year was given to skipper Ryan Watkins, who took over the captaincy two months into the campaign and led his side to the Midlands Two West Championship.
Director of Rugby David Robins paid tribute to the young centre, who missed only one match of the league and cup campaign through injury. Summing up the season, Robins paid tribute to the whole squad of 48 players who had made first XV appearances. “We lost several of our young emerging players to gap year travels, then had a tremendous injured list to cope with. Although our form after Christmas was affected by these factors, Ryan and the coaches kept the team on track to take the top promotion spot on the final day of the league season.” Other awards made on the night were:
Malvern Angels Player of the Year – Debs Danby
Angels Chairperson’s Award – Ali Douglas
Angels “Rear of the Year” – Jamie Gwynne
3rd XV Player of the Year – Ian Hill
2nd Xv Player of the Year – Sam Jones
The President’s Cup for the outstanding young player – Ted Lang
Bowman and Acock Cup – most improved player – Stewart Clarke
The Yellow Jersey award, given for the “most unusual number of yellow cards” went to combative retiring prop forward Shaun Lancett, who will be returning to Upton next season. Lancett, known as “Harry Potter, had the audience in fits of laughter with his acceptance speech.
The Chairman’s Cup, traditionally awarded to the club member who has done most off the field, was presented by Peter Doran to Roger Braddick, the club’s Webmaster. The website developed by him, www.malvernrfc.co.uk is to be featured by the prestigious international magazine “Sports Illustrated” as a A special moment came with a “Lifetime Award” to long serving prop Steve Cooper, who came to the game late and in his mid forties turned out for the 1st XV no fewer than 15 times during the campaign as part of his total 305 appearances. Cooper paid tribute to the dedication of Robins and made mention of the “very special” current first team, taking his seat to a standing ovation.
Robins summed up a successful season by noting that three players – Ryan Henshaw, Owen Jones and Ryan Watkins – had been selected for the North Midlands against Durham and Cumbria, the firs time for many years that Malvern had such representation, and an indication of the club’s progress.
