14 May 10
Old Laurentian Dinner and Awards
More than 100 members were at Old Laurentians’ Annual Dinner last Friday when the club’s excellent season was celebrated and award winners announced.Club Chairman Reiner Ferguson welcomed a number of guests, including Bob Jones, Chairman of Warwickshire RFU, and Dave Chater of the Warwickshire Society of Referees.
He went on to congratulate 1st XV skipper Carl Adams and his team on the outstanding rugby that sealed promotion to the Midlands 1 league. He added that any successful team needs good back up and that was provided by the 2nd XV under the leadership of Ricky Reed, together with team manager Dean Cobley, who finished a close third in a very strong Warwickshire League 1; and he praised the efforts of John Linnell and Tim Chambers, who had worked so hard to keep the 3rd XV going.
Adams, who is standing down as skipper after a very successful term at the helm, remarked that the team’s achievement owed much to the spirit that existed throughout the club and the great touchline support they had enjoyed. He went on to praise the work of Head Coach Stuart Birch, who is also stepping down from his post, and the whole coaching team for their invaluable input. He warned that the standard of rugby in the league to which the club has been promoted will make next season a tough one, as the team will be facing a number of sides who have forsaken the amateur ethos to embrace a degree of professionalism, a path that OLs have no intention of treading.
When the awards for season 2009/10 were announced, it came as little surprise when Simon Bayliss scooped no less than three – for leading try scorer, with his amazing tally of 36 for the season; and as Players' Player of the Year as voted for by both his fellow players and by the club’s supporters.
James Melvin won the accolade for Most Improved Player, Ollie Cowley was named as Newcomer of the Year and Ben O’Riordan scooped the award as Young Player of the Year. Scott Wiles collected his 1st XV tie for clocking up fifty appearances in the team.
To widespread acclaim, Gary Hammond was named as Veteran of the Year, marking another great season for this club stalwart which included a couple of 1st team appearances.OLs started a mini rugby section in 2009/10 and it grew consistently in strength and numbers to enjoy a highly successful first season. For his enthusiasm and drive in getting it off the ground, Dan Volkman was named Clubman of the Year.
In accepting the award, Dan was quick to praise the efforts of the band of coaches and helpers who have contributed so much to the early success of this venture.
The club’s Player of the Year award went to Iain Wallis for yet another season of consistency and commitment. The centre has clocked up over 250 1st team appearances for the club in a long playing career, Carl Adams noting in his speech that he was probably the first skipper with the temerity to select him as a bench replacement for one game following a short injury layoff this season!
The club’s AGM is scheduled for Thursday 27th May, starting at 7.30, and all members are urged to attend this important meeting as OLs prepare for a season that will present a new and tough challenge.
Report by Bill Wallis
