Penrith Rugby Club held their presentation evening and during the course of events several speakers took the opportunity to look back on the season just completed.

The presentations started with the Most Improved Young Player of the Year, which went to Gavin Cartmel who had started the season as an Under-16 squad member and by the end of it was an integral part of the U-16, U-17 and U-18 sides.

The Young Player of the Year went to Joe Nattrass who started on the periphery of the first team squad and ended up playing the second half of the season, finishing one try short of the leading try scorer.

Adam Day, captain of the third team, was the first to review his team’s season. Despite playing other club’s first and second teams they had come a very creditable second in the Cumbria Shield League and were runners up in the Cumbria Shield, losing only on try count-back after drawing 15-15 with Silloth.

Not for the first time Terry Balmer walked away with the third team’s leading try scorer award.

In announcing the winner of the player's player award Adam said if the club ever opened a hall of fame the winner would be the first person nominated - no one would argue when John Sealby was announced as the winner and he also took the official Player of the Year Award.

Gavin Oliver took the floor to look back on the second's endeavours, in the ultra competitive CANDY league.

They had not fared quite as well as last season but still finished a creditable sixth and he was quick to point out their season had not finished and they still had either Kendal to face in the final of the Cumbria Vase.

The Players’ Player award, to no-one’s surprise, went to Billy Barton, who was not present so his trophy was collected by Dave Bellas because of his family connections.

Bellas picked up the Player of the Year on his own account and Hit of the Year went to Gavin Cowe. Keith Robinson was leading try scorer by some margin and he pointed out he hadn't finished with the final to come.

Club captain Rob Dawson looked back on the senior side’s year which disappointingly had ended in relegation.

,The first half of the season had been a complete disaster winning only one of eleven games, but once a settled side could be selected results improved with six wins in the remainder of the league programme.

That was one win short of safety and probably the most disappointing result of the campaign was losing at Kendal when they thoroughly deserved to win. That one result could have saved the season.

They reached the semi final of the county cup going out again at eventual winners Kendal.

The top try scorer award was shared between Steve Wood and Darren Richardson with six apiece and the Players’ Player and Player of the Year Awards picked themselves, both went to number eight Mike Raine who had had an outstanding season.

His level of performance had been excellent throughout whether the team had played well or badly.

A total of 44 players had been used during the season and leading the appearance chart,  missing only one game were Rob Dawson, Steve Wood and Martin Armstrong.

Dawson gave special mention to Nigel Beaty for his dedication and effort over a number of years.

Penrith Academy dinner is being held on Saturday (7pm) when the guest speaker will be John Owen, Cumbria’s RFU representative and currently an RFU Vice president. Cumbrian star Robert Miller of Newcastle Falcons and England Under-20’s will present the awards.

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