Thatcham Rugby Club finally celebrate end-of-season awards and hand out special accolades

After many months of postponement, Thatcham Rugby Club were at last able to celebrate the end of season 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 25 September 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, whilst the 2nd team 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 predicting a top four finish.

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 in their team.

Danny Shaughnessy won a club coaching award, while David Chambers from the first team and Sam Adnams from the second team also won awards.