MEMBERS of Blandford RFC gathered for an extra special annual dinner/dance and awards presentation.

The evening was made all the more memorable as RFU Council member for Dorset & Wilts, Ron Jones, presented chairman Justin Frampton with the RFU Whole Club Accredit-ation Award, making Blandford the fifth Dorset club to achieve the accolade.

The accreditation scheme has been introduced to help all rugby clubs in England become stronger, more effective, more efficient and more enjoyable places to play rugby.

The scheme is based on six key factors which the RFU have identified as being crucial to a strong club; retaining and developing players, recruiting new players, recruiting and retaining high-quality coaches, volunteers and referees, effective and efficient facilities, effective and efficient management and governance and integration with the local community.

Jones praised Blandford’s work as this was a considerable achievement for a small club to gain the standard required by the RFU, and he congratulated all those involved in the accreditation process for their hard work.

ROLL OF HONOUR First XV Player of the Year – Harry Jennings

Second XV Player of the Year – Henry Wates

First XV Young Player of the Year – Rob Oliver

Second XV Young Player of the Year – Dan Madders

First XV Most Improved Player of the Year – Tom House

Second XV Most Improved Player of the Year – Wayne Russell

First XV Top Try Scorer – Rhys Hughes

Second XV Top Try Scorer – Lee Haim

Players’ Player of the Year – Marc Ricketts

Coach’s Award – Adrian Oliver Clubman of the Year – Moe Mitchell

Social Member of the Year – Jerry Ricketts

Frampton Memorial Shield for the Unsung Hero of the Season – Ben Ryan

President’s Award – Ward Goodman