LAUNCESTON Rugby Club held their annual dinner and dance at the Eagle House Hotel on Friday, May 18.

Nearly 100 members of the club, ranging from players and partners to coaches and club officials, took their places for a three-course meal, which was preceded by Les Baker saying Grace.

Once the food had been eaten, vice-chairman Ian Warren talked about the season and the plans moving forward before former winger Matt Jess, who then moved on to enjoy a successful spell at current Aviva Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs, spoke for a while.

Now a player/coach at South West Premier side Newton Abbot, Jess emphasised the importance of the Colts section in moving the club forward before sharing plenty of anecdotes from his time at Exeter.

It was then time for each of the three main senior teams to talk about their campaign.

The first team — better known as the Cornish All Blacks — finished third in Tribute South West One (West) in their first season outside of the National League for nearly two decades and will look to push on next year for a return to the South West Premier under the guidance of new joint coaches, Ryan Westren and Ian Goldsmith.

Skipper, Lloyd Duke, and outgoing head of rugby, Jimmy Tucker, discussed the season with Tucker thanking everyone for his two-and-a-half seasons in charge.

Tucker then went on to present the first team trophies alongside president Richard Dennis.

The main recipient was Duke, who won the supporters’, coaches’ and players’ player of the year awards while Westren received the Player of the Year award.

Tom Sandercock and new signing Torin Clarke received the Young Back and Young Forward awards. The on and off the field and Most Improved Player awards went to lock Marc Williams.

The second team — under the guidance of Mike Haines — enjoyed a brilliant season.

As expected, they eased to the CRFU Duchy League title while they won the CRFU Duchy Plate with a last-gasp victory over Camborne at Truro on?Bank Holiday Monday,?May 7.

The Colts, who are coached by Miles Tummon, Phil?Stansfield and Andy Hawken and managed by Nigel Tozer, won the Cornwall County Colts Cup against Penzance before being edged out by Devon side Topsham in the inaugural Two Counties Cup final at Polson Bridge.

The Colts’ physio, Carol?Stansfield was awarded a bunch of flowers for her service throughout the year, as was Di Tharme for her work feeding the teams.

Once the presentations had been made, everyone was given a chance to socialise and have a dance.

Event organiser, Mike Haines, said:?“I’d like to say thanks to the Eagle House Hotel, the businesses who provided the raffle prizes and to everyone who came.”

The list of trophy winners are as follows:

First team awards

Player of the Year on and off the field: Marc Williams; Young forward: Torin Clarke; Young back: Tom Sandercock; Most Improved Player: Marc Williams; Player of the Year:?Ryan Westren; Supporters’ Player of the Year: Lloyd Duke; Players’ Player of the Year:?Lloyd Duke; Coaches’ Player of the Year:?Lloyd Duke

Second team awards

Most Improved Player: Ed Dudden; Players’ Player of the Year:?Harry Lightfoot; Coaches’ Player of the Year: Harry Lightfoot

Colts awards

Coaches’ Player of the Year: Piran Gallington; Most Improved Player:?Cian Baker; Players’ Player of the Year:?Aiden Jacob

Club awards

Endeavour award: John Tharme; Clubman of the Year:?Crispin Earle