CENTRE Henry Hockenhull picked up two awards as Whitchurch Rugby Club brought down the curtain on a testing season with their annual presentation dinner.

Former British Lions and Rugby League winger John Bentley was guest speaker at the event, which was attended by 90 players, officials and friends.

“It was a good way to wrap up a difficult season,”  said coach Scott Sturdy who is now preparing for life in Midlands Two North (West) next season after the relegation from Midlands 1 West.

Hockenhull led the way in the first team awards with two honours, taking the coach's player of the season and top try scorer accolades.

The players’ player award went to No8 Ben Vincent, who heads to New Zealand next season, while captain’s player was second row Matt Owen.

For the second team, lock forward Rob Tilley was the captain’s player of the season and fellow second row Tom Wellsbury was the players’ player. The colts player of the season was flanker Ciaran Gatenby.

The club are back in action with touch rugby sessions for all the teams on Thursday, June 8, before 

pre-season training starts in earnest on Tuesday, July 4.

With the coaching set-up in place following the arrival of assistant coach Ollie Taylor from Old Halesonians, Sturdy is now in the process of recruiting a couple of players.