Parc y Scarlets hosted a very special end of season awards gala dinner on Saturday 27th April, to honour those who have played their part in the region’s success this season.
It was a special night for the region’s South African new comers Johan Snyman and George Earle as they collected two of the evening’s top awards.
Evander born Snyman won the Worthington’s Supporters Player of the Season and was presented with the award by Molson Coors’ Regional Sales Director Diane Rees.
The South African lock joined the region in the summer from the Eastern Province Kings and made his Scarlets debut in the RaboDirect PRO12 match against the Dragons in October 2012. He has since gone on to feature in 23 games scoring two tries including a magnificent individual try from the halfway line against Zebre in recent weeks.
The Try of the Season award went to Scarlets favourite winger Andrew Fenby. Having joined the Scarlets in 2009 Fenby has scored 25 spectacular tries with 14 of those this season. Fellow Scarlets player and Wales U20’s prop Rob Evans presented Andy Fenby with his award.
Scarlets 2012-13 club captain Rob McCusker had the honour of pre4senting one of club rugby’s most prestigious awards, Players’ Player, which sees an individual honoured by their peers.
Having made a huge impact since joining the region for the 2012-13 season the award was presented to second row George Earle.
Known for his fearless efforts on the pitch, and mild mannered nature off it, George Earle has fast become a favourite at Parc y Scarlets amongst fellow players and supporters alike.
The very special Lifetime Achievement Award went to a regional stalwart who has 14 Scarlets seasons under his belt – loosehead prop Phil John.
As the Scarlets prepared to welcome ASM Clermont Auvergne to Parc y Scarlets on 19th January this year, Phil John was preparing to take to the field in the beloved Scarlets jersey for the 250th time – and in doing so became the newest Playing Life Member of the club.
Llanelli RFC and Scarlets Playing Life Members include some of the region’s greats including Ray Gravell (480 appearances), current Scarlets President Phil Bennett (403), current Scarlets team manager Garan Evans (343), Wales’ record cap holder Stephen Jones (314) and former coaches Nigel Davies (397), Phil Davies (329) and Gareth Jenkins(254).
John made his debut for Llanelli on the 8th December, 1999 against Welsh rivals Cardiff after joining the region as an apprentice – combining training with work in the community as a development officer.
Scarlets Forwards Coach and Wales Under 20s Head Coach Danny Wilson was joined on stage by Llanelli RFC’s oldest surviving Welsh international Peter Rees to present John with his award.
After receiving his award John said: “It has been a great honour to represent this club for such a long time. As a young boy from the town it was a dream come true to have the opportunity back in 1999, at the age of 18, to join the club I’d supported for so long.
“I’ve had a tough couple of seasons of late but have thoroughly enjoyed my rugby this year and hope I’ve shown the coaches what I’m capable of.”
The evening’s formalities came to a close with an emotional tribute and thank you to two if the region’s favourites, Matthew Rees and Morgan Stoddart.
Scarlets Head Coach Simon Easterby spoke highly of Matthew Rees as a fellow player and now as a senior member of the squad under his leadership.
Matthew Rees upon receiving his award said: “I’d like to thank current and former coaches here at the Scarlets that I’ve had privilege of working with. I came here as a young guy and had tough competition ahead of me in Aled Gravelle and Robin McBryde.
“It was an immensely difficult decision to make to have to leave the region and one that I took time in considering before making that final decision. Having been a part of this fantastic club for nine seasons I am eternally grateful because it’s here I’ve made my name.
“There’s a fantastic squad here this season and there’s no doubt that next Friday will be an emotional evening.”
After fantastic performances both regionally and internationally Scarlets Skills Coach Mark Jones thanked Morgan Stoddart for his continued efforts at the region.
Jones said: “It is always with sadness that we have to say farewell to any player but it is with greater sadness that we have to bid farewell to individuals through injury. Morgan’s grit, determination and passion epitomises what it means to be a true Scarlet.”
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