Rugby Club celebrates at awards night

MELKSHAM Rugby Club held its annual award evenings last week – their first since the Covid 19 pandemic. 

The club held two award evenings – one for the senior teams and another for the junior teams. At the juniors’ evening, there was a surprise visit from the mayor of Melksham cllr Simon Crundell and local MP Michelle Donelan.   

About the juniors’ awards evening, the club’s president, Gary Cooke, told Melksham News, “The minis and juniors are the future of the club, and after 30 years now, are going from strength to strength. It’s thanks to all our volunteers that this has happened and because of this, Melksham RFC is a rugby club the community and the RFU should be proud of.” 

About the seniors’ awards evening, the club’s chairman, Mark Simmons, told Melksham News, “The 2021/22 season has seen the club start to get back to normality. Off the rugby field, the rugby club has hosted some big community events. We have also seen many social events held in the clubhouse again, all helping with much-needed revenue.  

“On the field we are proud to have the only mixed ability rugby team in Wiltshire, which has been an amazing success. The senior ladies’ team continues to thrive, obtaining 3rd in the league, its highest ever league position.  

“The senior men’s teams have had a mix season. The 1st XV were going really well, with a 10-match winning streak lifting them to 2nd place in the league at Christmas, only to fall away during the second half of the season to finish 4th in the league. The 2nd XV had a solid season, playing some very competitive games against other 1st XV.” 

Life membership of the club was also awarded to Mark Simmons, Dave and Caroline Williams, Mathew Glover, Gary Cooke, and Ian Newman, who have all given 30+ years’ service to the club. 

The club adds, “Melksham RFC would like to thank all those who played rugby for the club this season, and all our staff and volunteers who give up their time to make the club the special place it is.” 

The winners of the awards were: 

• Senior Men: 1st Team Player of the Year – Ollie Cooper; 2nd Team Player of the Year – Nathan Irving; Most Improved – Ali Smith; Young Player of the Year – Luke Ansell; Supporters’ Player of the Year – Russ Preston; Breakthrough Player – Jacek Gronkowski; Most Tries Men – Niall Cooper; Most Points Men – Ali Smith; 1st Captain’s Player of the Year – Sam Tingey; 2nd Captain’s Player of the Year – Steve Lamb.  

• Senior Ladies:   Players’ Player – Katie Dwyer; Coaches’ player-Laura Dunbar; Most improved-Hannah Crossley; Supporters’ Player of the Year – Elisha Griffin; Most Tries Ladies – Charlotte Wellon; Most Points Ladies – Charlotte Wellon; Club Person of the Year – Hannah Berrelly. 

• Mixed Ability Awards: Spirit of the Stag – Richard Grieshaber; Most Improved – Tim Beale. Coaches’ Player – Keith Avery; Players’ Player – Jonny Flower.  

• Ladies Under 16s: Supporters’ Player – Emily Harland; Players’ Player – Maisie Rodger; Coaches’ Player – Ella Clarke  

• Under 14s: Players’ Player – Liam bailey; Coaches’ Player – Harry Dwyer; Most Improved – Noah Farrington; Supporters’ Player – Noah Farrington.  

• Under 13s: Players’ Player – Harry Woodman; Supporters’ Player – Logan Bolwell; Most Improved – Gethin Joyce; Coaches’ Player – Tom Butter. 

• Under 12s: Supporters’ Player – William Watters; Players’ Player – Kenasi Maritiro; Coaches’ Player – Harry Hiscocks; Most Improved Player – Jamie.  

• Under 10s: Players’ player – Roman Ireland; Supporters’ Player – Finley-Jay Malone; Coaches’ Player – Oliver Maynard; Most Improved – Harry Watkins.  

• Under 9s: Supporters’ Player – Daniel Pantall; Players’ Player – Oscar Clunie; Most Improved – Eva Goodwin-Fielding; Coaches’ Player – Sophie Cox.  

• Under 8s: Supporters’ Player – Archie Bradley; Most Improved Player – Tommy Dwyer; Players’ Player – Theo Dick; Coaches’ Player – Alice Webb. 

• Under 7s: Coaches’ Player – Harper Hopkinson; Most Improved – Finley Jefferson; Players’ Player – Joeli Matiriro; Supporters’ Player – Ffion Hughes.