Saturday evening saw the Harrow RFC Senior Section Dinner and Awards take place at the clubhouse, with players, partners, families and club members coming together to celebrate a successful season both on and off the pitch.
With a fantastic menu of sausages, creamed mash, vegetables and beans (not for me thank you) prepared and served by Linda, Nelly and Annette, and with Sarah Watts and Brianna behind the bar , giving Rod a well-earned rest – the evening got underway with a #oneclub photo in front of the clubhouse.
With Grace delivered by President Denis Argent to the upstanding attendees, all were then seated to enjoy the main course.

An overall season review was provided by Club Captain Iain Taffs and a 1st XV review by James Taffs, with the usual mix of reflection as well as the obligatory “fines” for misdemeanours across the season.
Recognition was made for the fantastic work across the club throughout the season, with special mention for the following: Mark Gibson for stepping up and taking charge of the coaching , and driving the improvement in performance and engagement across the players ; Tony Brennan, Paul Stern and Neil McDonald for the great work in delivering the new showers and gym facilities ; Megan Riordan stepping into the role as new Club Physio, and helping keep battered and bruised bodies available each week ; Rod Nicholas (and others) for the tireless work behind the bar each weekend ; Linda Dunleavy for providing post-match nourishment each week (no more beans) ; Valentina for capturing matches each week on “film” ; Matt Linden in his role as Team Manager each week and also Pete Skyrme, Paul Watts and Colin Hutton for driving the connection between the Junior and Senior sections which has seen such rewards in player development and pathways for players between the sections, and finally Andy Smart who in his 25th year as Chairman of Harrow RFC, and who also gives his time freely across the Merit Table organisation, Senior London leagues and from August this year as the County representative within the RFU inner circles. A man who goes about his work with no pomp or circumstance, but has done a huge amount in maintaining the well being and finances of the club through the last years, and certainly across the last very difficult couple of years during the pandemic.

Then followed a delicious sticky toffee pudding dessert , with cheese and biscuits, and with the “comedy” awards out of the way, it was onto the main awards which included the annual “Iron Man” award presented by Hannah Wyatt in recognition of her father – a long standing player and member of the club – which this year went to James Robertson for his performances across the season.
With President Denis Argent on hand to present the trophies the following awards and recipients were given:

Best Trainer was awarded to Freddie Broomhead – for his attendance, engagement and his development across the season.
Breakthrough Act was awarded to Cieran Barry – who whilst only arriving back from Uni just before Xmas cemented himself in the 1st XV wit a string of outstanding performances.
Most Improved Player was awarded to Desmond Ogboru who this season has performed across both teams exceptionally well, and has reall added dexterity and a rugby brain to his already known strength and commitment attributes.
Clubman of the Year went to Neil McDonald for the great work in delivering the gym/shower refurb; managing and implementing the GMS system (player registration and subscriptions) and driving the Junior Section in his position as Chairman. Honourable mention also for Paul Stern who has continued to do great work throughout the club, and doesn’t always get the recognition he deserves (Get that scoreboard up and running, and next year will be nailed on !)
Player of the Year went to James Taffs, having lead from the front all season, playing not always in his preferred position (he thinks he’s a 10) and driving performance both on and off the pitch.
Finally, Players Player, which as voted for by your peers is, in my opinion, the top accolade amongst the awards. This season the award went to Tom Linden, who has consistently delivered performances again and again across nearly every fixture to be played, has played in all manner of positions across the back-line, and has usually excelled in most, and has a stature, approach and demeanour far in advance of his 19 years of age. With the vast majority of the playing members selecting him as their players player Tom can be rightly proud of his achievement – and it will be great to see him develop at Harrow RFC along with all the other younger players who have excelled this season.

Final words on a fabulous season on and off the pitch which has seen the club buck the trend of other clubs post pandemic by increasing playing numbers, building a true camaraderie and spirit across the playing section, putting 2 teams out reasonably consistently with the reward of promotion for the Lions from Merit Table 4 as well as capturing the Merit Table Vase trophy. 1st XV had a positive second half to the season – which has built a fantastic platform for the coming season, and the infrastructure and investment in the club is the strongest and best it has been for a long time – which all points towards a positive future for the club.
To everyone and anyone who has contributed in whatever way to the success of the club this season I am truly appreciative, the platform for future success has well and truly been laid, and I hope you look forward to the start of the 22/23 season as much as I do. Its only a handful of months, have a great summer and look forward to seeing all of you reading this at some point at Harrow RFC in the very near future.