RUGBY UNION

MAESTEG Harlequins held their presentation night to celebrate the 2018-2019 season, the best in the club’s 120-year history.

Seventh spot in the WRU Championship is the highest-ever league position the club has ever achieved, despite competing against a large number of semi-professional clubs.

The players were congratulated and thanked for their phenomenal effort, as were all the club’s sponsors, staff, medical support team, committee and army of volunteers, who make Maesteg Quins rugby possible.

Clubman of the Year was awarded to club treasurer Gethin Morris for guiding the club through the process of taking over the playing facilities and finding the funds to improve the clubhouse.

Second-row and captain Steven Davies picked up the 2nd XV Player of the Year.

Tadgh McGuckin, who became increasingly influential as the season wore on, was the recipient of the Most Promising Player of the Year.

Player’s Player of the Year went to evergreen Lewis Tutt.

For the first time, those who make the decision could not separate the final two nominations for the Player of the Year and so the award was shared. The 2018 recipient, prop Lewis Francis had yet another amazing season. He shared the prize with skipper Steve Williams, who has shown once again a complete commitment to the cause. Often playing in the second-row, the flanker produced topdrawer performances.

Quins successfully completed their objective of remaining in the Championship and 2019-2020 promises to be another amazing season, competing against some of Welsh rugby’s most prominent, successful and historical names.

The first two home fixtures are against former Merit Table clubs Glamorgan Wanderers and Llanelli. Pontypool, Cross Keys and Neath also feature in a fixture list former Quins could only dream of.

Well-attended training sessions are already under way. Anyone wishing to enjoy the Championship challenge or play in a serious, but less competitive environment, on a purely amateur basis, will be welcome.