Lydney RFC End of Season Dinner Saturday 5th April.

The evening was very well supported with just under 100 in attendance.

Club Chairman Duncan Sleeman got the evening started with a welcome to everyone and synopsis of the season.

Director of Rugby Sam Arnott spoke about the challenging season after the positive start and our depleted playing squad. Securing our league status with one game to go was not the plan at the start of the season. United Head Coach Joe Hamlin praised his young United Team on how they stuck to the challenge despite coming second in a lot of games. We managed to still get a full squad out every week and this will hold these players in good stead for next season.

On to the awards, this started with United Player of the season. This award went to Young front player James Lane. James also made his debut for the 1st XV this season at the age of 18. Congratulations on your award James!

Next up was the United Players Player Award, this player took almost all the votes from his fellow team mates.

Well done Wilf Doyle-Finch!

Wilf has played Hooker and Back Row this season also playing for the 1st XV.

Club President Joe Betty took over the mic from Sam Arnott for the next award, this award was the Corinthian of the Year Award. Awarded by the Severnsiders Supporters Trust, Joe Betty explained this award is for someone who shows commitment and passion for the club and works hard in everything they do. This award went to Luke Hudson.

Congratulations and well deserved Luke!

Sam then moved on to announce that we had two players leaving us one retiring and one hopefully returning in the future.

Mike Massey has hung up the boots and we wish him well in his retirement from the pitch, but hope to still see him back at Regentsholme supporting the lads. Jake Hanley also known as the Ice Man after his last minute winner against Drybrook in his previous time at the club, will be away from the club for the foreseeable future due to work commitments. But we may yet see him again in the future back in the black and white hoops..

Young Player of the Season followed.

With a very young squad overall, this provided the coaching team with a challenge!

With 20 players all under the age of 21 and as young as 17. Charlie Beddis, Frank Barclay and James Lane (all former Colts players) made 1st XV debuts. Coby Scriven and Olly Spender played regularly for the United all season. This award went to another front row player, a lad who joined us having moved to Gloucester to attend Hartpury University.

Congratulations Garrett Myers!

We look forward to seeing you further develop next season.

1st XV Player of the season, a player who stood out for the coaches and a role model for the younger lads in the squad. This award went to Pat Hanslow. Pat has been a great player for the club since joining us from Hucclecote. Congratulations Pat!

1st XV Players Player was the final playing award given on the evening. This again was a landslide on the votes from his fellow players, for a second year in a row and his second with the club – the Turnover King Kyle Frowen was the recipient again! Captain Ben Large also made the photo shoot for this one

The final award of the evening was the Roy Arrowsmith award for Clubman of the Year.

This went to our very own Gareth Williams, also known as “Garry.”

He takes on every job imaginable at the rugby club, whether he knows how to do it or not……

He quite literally can’t say no to anyone. He truly is the definition of a Clubman. We’re incredibly lucky to have him here at Regentsholme.

Rumour has it, he’s even got Archie’s Bar on the shirt next season…

Director of Rugby Sam Arnott also would like to thank everyone who attended the evening.

Brodie Arnott, Rachael Knox and Gareth Williams for getting the night set up.

The Severnsiders Supporters Trust for the valuable contributions to the rugby operations helping keeping the lads playing.

The Sponsors, Committee Members, Ladies Commitee, Kitchen Staff, Bar Staff and of course the best supporters who are the envy of the league!

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