FROME Rugby Club held its end of season awards dinner and season review for players, coaches, and backroom staff at the Frome RFC clubhouse on Friday 28th April.
Clubman of the year went to Andy Vince, and the top points scorer went to Henry Bull. For the first XV, Henry Bull also won player of the season and players’ player; rookie of the season went to Josh Hills, and trainer of the season went to Geoff Taylor.
For the second XV, John Spencer won the player of the season, and he was also the players’ player, and the most improved player went to Jack Carter. For the third XV, player of the season went to James Orman; players’ player went to Matt Jones, and most improved player went to Kye White.
The club say, “We would again like to thank the supporters, clubhouse staff, players, backroom staff and volunteers for their continued support and efforts throughout the season. Here’s to the 2023/24 season.”
Director of rugby, Garrie Webster, gave an overview of the season, “The awards dinner brings an end to a most difficult season for some time at The Lane, one that has sadly seen both the first XV and second XV finish bottom of their leagues.
“Our injury list across the season has certainly made for grim and long reading, yet we continued week in week out to try and field three teams and this is where I would like to focus, not on the end results but on the positives from what has been a very challenging time for all.”
He continued “We’ve had players play across all three teams this season, with players continually moving up or down a team upon request to help make sure we fielded sides. We’ve had some of our academy players make the transition to senior rugby, and certainly not look out of place – Owen Jones, Max Stickley, Ben Sheppard, Kye White and Zack Stickley, and more which has been exciting to see, and shows some great strength in depth going forward.
“We also had the opposite end of the spectrum with Dan Castle coming out of retirement, and at one point if you looked at the team sheet, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in a time warp with a Webster, Castle, Plumridge, Stickley, Hills and Weston all on the pitch together again.
“A few thank you’s must go to our three team managers, Trevor Osborne, Andy Vince and Simon Bates. Thank you to our two fantastic physios, Alex Joiner and James Bennett, thank for keeping us out on the pitch and in Si Westlake’s case, literally tying on limbs to ensure we can play.
“Thank you to our two senior men’s coaches, Dom Jones and JJ Gagiano, they have put in an immense amount of work in all of us, including the academy and I’m excited to see them return in pre-season.
“Thank you as well to the three outgoing captains, Ali Fisher, captain of the third XV, our second XV captain Ethan White, and finally first XV and club captain Alex Mallon, the ever present, poster boy and face of the club. Hardly missed a session, and only missed one game due to the rearranged game against Keynsham. A superb leader by example and we wish him, and his partner Olivia best wishes and good health to you and your expected little one.
“I’d finally like to thank our principal sponsor, I.M.S Limited and Ian Regler for the continuing to support to us and also for the new alternate playing shirt, which we look forward to showing next season. We were delighted to have him join us for the evening.”
Pictured: Henry Bull with his three awards.
