​Pooler celebrate first season back at the top table of club rugby in Wales

Pooler celebrate first season back at the top table of club rugby in Wales

Pontypool Rugby Football Club held their annual presentation evening at The Parkway Hotel and Spa, Cwmbran on Friday 17 May 2024, writes Ray Ruddick. Some of Pooler’s greatest ever players were in attendance such as WRU President and Pontypool captain for 10 successive seasons, Terry Cobner, Pontypool RFC President and a member of the legendary Pontypool Front Row, Graham Price, and former captain, coach and club chairman John Perkins. ‘Pricey’ and ‘Perky’ are the only two players to have played over 500 games for Pontypool. Other guests included WRU council member and District A representative Bryn Parker, MP for Torfaen Nick Thomas-Symonds, and Torfaen County Borough Council Leader Anthony Hunt.

Around 150 guests were entertained by guest speaker, former Glamorgan Wanderers and Newport full back and BBC rugby commentator Phil Steele, who had the gathering in stitches with his stories.

The award winners were as follows:

Captain’s Trophy – Scott Matthews (Scott was not in attendance and sent his apologies and the award was collected on his behalf by next season’s captain, Mike Herbert)

Highest Points Scorer – Matthew Jarvis (223)

Highest Try Scorer – Morgan Lloyd (9)

Supporters’ Player of the Season – Scott Matthews

Players’ Player of the Season – Morgan Lloyd

M5 Associates Players of the Season – Ashley Sweet and Callum Davies

50+ Appearances – Amosa Nove (67), Matthew Jarvis (61), Owain Leonard (60), Sam Cochrane (59), Adam Stratton (58), Ashley Sweet (56) and Peter Lloyd (51).

Special Awards receiving signed Pooler jerseys – Ashley Sweet, Matthew Jarvis, Lewis Roberts (Lewis was not in attendance and the jersey was collected on his behalf by Rob Tovey) and Andrew Quick.

Player of the Season – Sam Scarfe

Chairman’s Award (Clubman of the Season) – John Long

John Long is the deserved recipient of the Chairman’s Award with over 60 years association with the club, as a member, a committeeman for 25 years until the committee ceased running the club in 1998 when a consortium took over, and a tireless worker ever since.

Executive chairman Peter Jeffreys compered the evening, congratulated all trophy winners and thanked each and every one who contributed to the past season, the first back at the top table of club rugby in Wales – the Indigo Premiership.