Life memberships for club stalwarts
AFTER many months of postponement, Thatcham Rugby Club were at last able to celebrate the end-ofseason awards for 2019-20.
The highlight of the night was the presentation of life memberships to outgoing treasurer Russell “Monty” Downing, and to Will Sewell, who hung up his boots after 15 years as chairman.
Having seen the club through some of the most exciting and challenging years, with the opening of the outstanding clubhouse facility at Henwick, Sewell also received an “honorary knighthood” in the form of a decorative wooden sword.
Like all the clubs, Thatcham are desperate to getting back to playing and so the start of the new season on September 25 can’t come soon enough.
In their 40th year, Thatcham are delighted to be returning to playing in Southern Counties (North) and begin away from home at Reading Abbey, while the 2nd XV will be playing at home against Farnham Royal in Berks, Bucks & Oxon 3.
New first-team skipper Matt Leybourne, who also won the players’ player award, is confident for the new season and predicts a top-four finish for Thatcham.
The night was hosted by new chairman Dave Hamilton and other awards on the night were handed out.
Dave “Spud” Richardson (Sweat Scraper) and John Dixon (Clubman of the Year) both scooped awards, while James Thorogood and Aaron Butt were top try scorers.
Andrew Arnold from the first team and Matt Hamilton
from the second were the most improved players.
The players’ player of the year in the first team went to Matt Leybourne, while Sam Adnams, Asnu Lebbie and Andrew Rudge also won the award for their teams.
Danny Shaughnessy won a club coaching award, while David Chambers also picked up an award.