Well, the rugby season is all over and thoughts naturally turn towards the summer break and a well-earned rest. Unfortunately for Head Coach Dominic Jones and Director of Rugby, Garrie Webster, summer breaks are just a bit of a pipe dream. Whilst others will be putting their feet up, Garrie & the Coaching Staff will be pondering what to do next season and setting targets for the coming campaign.

But before that, the teams finished up the season on Friday evening at the Frome RFC Clubhouse where they welcomed Players, Coaches, Backroom Staff and VPs for the Annual end of season Awards Dinner.

We caught up with Director of Rugby, Garrie Webster on the evening who commented "The Awards Dinner brings an end to a most difficult season for sometime at The Lane, one that has sadly seen both the 1st XV and 2nd XV finish bottom of their leagues. 

Our Injury list across the season has certainly made for grim and long reading, yet we continued week in week out to try and field 3 teams and this is where I would like to focus, not on the end results but on the positives from what has been a very challenging time for all."

He continued "We've had players play across all 3 teams this season, with players continually moving up or down a team upon request to help make sure we fielded sides. We've had some of our Academy players make the transition to Senior rugby, and certainly not look out of place, Owen Jones, Max Stickley, Ben Sheppard, Kye White and Zack Stickley, and more… which has been exciting to see, and shows some great strength in depth going forward."

"We also had the opposite end of the spectrum with Dan Castle coming out of retirement, and at one point if you looked at the team sheet, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were in a time warp with a Webster, Castle, Plumridge, Stickley, Hills and Weston all on the pitch together again."

"A few thank you's must go to our three Team Managers, Trevor Osborne, Andy Vince and Simon Bates. Our two fantastic Physio's, Alex Joiner and James Bennett, thank for keeping us out on the pitch and in Si Westlake's case, literally tying on Limbs to ensure we can play…

Our two senior Mens Coaches, Dom Jones and JJ Gagiano, they have put in an immense amount of work in all of us, including the Academy and I'm executed to see them return in Preseason.

The three outgoing Captains, Ali Fisher, Captain of the 3rd XV, our 2nd XV Captain Ethan White, and finally 1st XV & Club Captain Alex Mallon, the ever present, poster boy and face of the Club. Hardly missed a session, and only missed 1 game due to the rearranged game against Keynsham. A superb leader by example and we wish him and his partner Olivia best wishes & good health to you and your expected little one. 

I'd finally like to thank our Principal Sponsor, I.M.S Limited and Ian Regler for the continuing to support to us and also for the new alternate playing shirt, which we look forward to showing next season. We were delighted to have him join us for the evening."

Onto the Senior Awards:

Club Awards

Clubman if the Year: Andy Vince

Top Points Scorer: Henry Bull

1st XV

Player of the Season: Henry Bull

Players Player: Henry Bull

Rookie of the Season: Josh Hills

Trainer of the Season: Geoff Taylor

2nd XV

Player of the Season: John Spencer

Players Player: John Spencer

Most Improved Player: Jack Carter

3rd XV

Player of the Season: James Orman

Players Player: Matt Jones

Most Improved Player: Kye White

The players now take a break before the summer time and the start of preseason training, dates and times will be announced shortly.

But for now the Club would again like to thank the Supporters, Clubhouse Staff, Players, Backroom Staff and Volunteers for their continued support and efforts throughout the season. Here's to the 2023/24 season. 

Scroll right for all the photos from the special night