Prolific Coventry earn top billing as Ampthill lead chasing pack
Coventry took the league by storm but our Team of the Year shows there’s plenty of talent throughout
Given their tabletopping season it’s unsurprising to see Coventry dominate The Rugby
Paper’s National One team of the year, with a whopping 1,213 points scored by the Midlanders.
Coventry have five players included, but not far behind are the division’s fourth-placed side – Ampthill – with four talents included in the XV.
A versatile team of the year as selected by TRP correspondents also sees Darlington Mowden Park, Caldy, Blackheath, Loughborough, Rosslyn Park and Old Elthamians represented with one player each.
1. Karl Garside (Ampthill):
A formidable scrummager and part of a powerful Ampthill front row that caused problems for most sides in Nat 1 this season, with teammate Jake Culverhouse also nominated.
2. Scott Tolmie (Coventry):
A crucial part of the most welldrilled, technically accomplished forward pack in the division, Tolmie was outstanding in the loose as an incredible 18 tries this season proves, as well as being a strong scrummager. Honourable mention also to Esher captain Billy Harding.
3. Phil Boulton (Coventry):
The hard working, no nonsense Coventry captain led from the front in every sense. His experience and leadership was pivotal to his side’s success.
4. Carl Burgess (Ampthill):
The focal point of a powerful, well-drilled Ampthill pack, Burgess was a mighty presence around the fringes of ruck and maul as well as being an excellent set-piece technician. Coventry’s Nile Dacres a close second.
5. Tom Sanders (Caldy):
A bit of a left-field selection this one, but the Caldy captain was the pick of an impressive pack. Exceptional in the set-piece and surprisingly mobile around the park for a big man. Coventry’s George Oram also nominated here.
6. Dave Fisher (DMP):
The former Natal Shark enjoyed an outstanding season for Darlington Mowden Park, especially with his size and physicality at the breakdown – Plymouth Albion’s George Mills also had an excellent campaign.
7. Jack Preece (Coventry):
A split call between Preece and Ampthill’s Joe Bercis here, but Coventry’s Player of the Year’s industry and tireless work-rate around the park made him a total nuisance to play against yet a joy for his teammates.
8. Hugo Ellis (Rosslyn Park):
Most Park fans will have been disappointed to see their season survival come down to the final day, but Ellis has stood out as a driving force for his team. A linchpin between forwards and backs, always willing to put his body on the line. DMP’s Ollie Hodgson and Plymouth’s Herbie Stupple also came close.
9. Kevin Barrett (Ampthill):
The experienced former England Sevens star was a real livewire around the fringes, and his outstanding game management kept the Ampthill pack on the front foot all season long.
Will Maisey (Coventry):
10. There were calls for Blackheath’s Joe Tarrant and Plymouth’s Dan Mugford, but it’s hard to look past the leading points scorer in National One and a shrewd and creative operator in the No.10 shirt.
11. Sam Baker (Ampthill):
The Ampthill flier has pace to burn and looked dangerous whenever he was given the ball in space, as 19 tries this season demonstrate. Two DMP wing’s – Callum Mackenzie and Chris McTurk were also highlyfavoured.
12. Markus Burcham (Blackheath):
It’s hard to think of a more consistently dependable centre in the division than the Blackheath captain, who was a brick wall in their midfield. Coventry’s Heath Stevens and Sam Tuitupou were a close second and third.
13. Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas (Loughborough):
Another left-field pick, but the versatile Loughborough three-quarter is an elusive brokenfield runner and a consistent threat in a dangerous backline.
14. Dom Lespierre (Old Elthamians):
After finishing as the leading try scorer in Nat 2 last season, Lespierre picked up in Nat One where he left off. With 19 tries in 25 games, he was arguably the best finisher in the division, with Coventry’s Rob Knox and Rosslyn Park’s Benji Marfo also in with a shout.
15. James Stokes (Coventry):
A multi-talented player both in attack and defence, Stokes was the league’s leading try-scorer and a threat whenever he burst into the line at pace – which was often! DMP’s Grant Connon and Fylde’s Tom Carleton also earned plenty of praise.