There was a sweepstake on how long head coach Dave would speak for and fortunately it wasn’t as long as the 2 days and 3 hours that one kind soul guesstimated. In fact the head coach was spot on with his timing, uttering his final word just 15 seconds inside of the time allotted by Chairman Gwyther … 19 minutes and 45 seconds.

After a celebratory round up of another successful season, the player awards went as follows:-

Players’ Player
Winner – Will Hamer
Runner up – Ralph Andrews
Joint 3rd – Alex Adams, Dan Mortara, Josh Smith
Congratulations Will on a stunning first season! Will ended up as top points scorer and joint top try scorer with Ed Simmons; he played an excellent game for the Hampshire Barbarians against Hampshire A and improved remarkably in both attack and defence throughout the season clearly winning the admiration and respect of his fellow players as well as the coaches.

Most Improved Player
Winner - Josh Smith
Also shortlisted for this award were:-
Will Hamer
Alex Heath
Charlie Hibbert
Dan Mortara
Joe Randall
Alex Seisun
With so many of the squad showing great improvement this year just drawing up the shortlist was a major task for the unfortunate coaches, confined as they were within the walls of the pub until the job was done! For taking the major and very difficult step up from club rugby to County, performing with great composure in the County shirt and for his excellent displays at full back and centre for Alton the award went to Josh Smith.

Endeavour Award
Winner - James Forrest
On the shortlist for this award were:-
James Airey – for his determination in sticking with it despite the lack of growth spurt, whilst many others had fallen by the wayside
Andy Austin – for dedication and support, particularly in benching 6 times for League fixtures, getting only 5 minutes playing time from those 6 games. Andy takes over from Cameron as the new Splinters and scored 3 tries in other matches.
Tom Bugler – for manning up and playing 2 games with a strapped up broken finger whilst other hookers were also injured.
James Forrest – for his determination to get back the 1st XV place he lost earlier in the season and putting in two exceptional performances as full back against Gosport & Fareham and Portsmouth.
Dan Mortara, Ed Pasfield and Adam Stoller – all 3 for the dedication and support they showed their team mates whilst out injured. Some players get down in the dumps about not playing, these guys were all full of positivity and smiles on the touchline and even came along to support during training. They are the very personification of this squad’s unity.

Coaches’ Award
Winner - Ralph Andrews
On the shortlist for this award were the six players who, in the view of the coaches, had been real superstars throughout the season. Whilst the entire squad is made up of stars I’m sure they would agree that these guys had consistently led from the front in every game they played and at every training session.
Ralph Andrews
Joe Gwyther
Will Hamer
Ed Simmons
Josh Smith
Adam Stoller
This was a very tough decision for the coaches to take, any of the six would have been a justifiable selection, and in the end we went for Ralph not just for the high quality of his play, where he often outplayed “County” opposition, but also his sheer consistency. None of the coaches can remember when he last had an average game.

To every other player in the squad not mentioned in these shortlists, know that each and every one of you has played a part in a tremendous season. Each and every one of you has performed well and improved. Attendance at training has been around the 25 mark week in, week out and this has contributed not only to personal improvements but tremendous strides forward in team performances.
It is a major achievement for a squad to score 108 tries in just 19 games, and for 21 players out of a 31 man squad to have got themselves on the scoresheet in the process. I also want to make a special mention of those players who showed true sportsmanship in wearing opposition colours in matches during the season. Stepping up and helping out a team short of players and then playing against your own club isn't easy, it's not what you get out of bed for. But your sportsmanship and effort were much appreciated, by us as much as the opposition clubs. Well done, you did us and yourselves proud!
24 players went on tour and I'm sure every one of you will agree that was tremendous fun off the pitch as well as a tremendous success on the field. Whilst no award was made on tour, I'm sure most would agree that Alex Adams was a stand out performer in Scotland. With the introduction of line out lifting he has the chance to be a superstar at U16 and beyond.
Next season we tour Italy - this will be our 6th and final leg of the 6 nations tour and promises to be the best of the lot! Enjoy the Summer break - don't forget pre-season training in June and July - see you back as U16s and ready to become champions next season!