WEYMOUTH & Portland head coach Paul Harding has hailed the likes of Ryan Lewendon, Jake Guildford and Bryn Llewellyn, who all won awards at the club’s end-of-season presentation night.

Llewellyn claimed top honours for the most points scored for the Monmouth Avenue outfit this season, and he also picked up the most improved prize after a stellar year.

Lewendon was awarded the best tackler accolade and also recorded the most tries for the club, while Guildford was named the player of the season.

Harry Baker also scooped a double on the night, picking up the third XV’s player of the season prize alongside a fair play award.

Elliot Curley bagged the second XV’s player of the season award, the Jim Rigby clubman award went to Steve Nation-Grainger and Jonathan Mason bagged the sportsman award.

Gordon Tye received his 100-game tie and the Colts presented their awards with Johnny Young, Josh Cameron and Tom Drummond all receiving prizes.

Club chairman Ian McMillan and president Des Quick were among those to hand out awards.

Commenting on some of the winners, Harding said: “Jake Guildford was outstanding throughout the season.

“He is a quality player and very influential in every game he plays, and he is definitely a standout performer because he gets through so much in each match.

“I have coached him from the age of 12 and he has moved up through the ranks. He is well schooled and has got a good rugby pedigree.”

On Lewendon, he added: “Ryan’s defence is fantastic and he is a very strong tackler, sometimes to the detriment of his body. He really is a hard hitter and scores a lot of tries as well.

“Unfortunately he is out at the moment with a fractured ankle he suffered while trialling with the academy at Saracens.”

Last season was Llewellyn’s first at Monmouth Avenue and he is also someone who impressed Harding.

“Bryn just got better and better as the season went on,” said his coach. "He became more consistent in every match and has improved a lot since I’ve been back at the club.

“I’ve seen a real change in the standard of his rugby over the last few months. He is definitely one for the future.”

Another player Harding praised was Steve Nation-Grainger, someone who won’t be at the club next season as he is set to work abroad.

“Steve is a massive loss for us,” continued Harding. “Not just on the pitch but off it as well.

“He is great to have around for morale and one of those players you want in your camp.

“He is another really good player and would have been up there with the contenders for player of the season.”

Weymouth & Portland finished their Dorset & Wilts Two South campaign like a train, with Harding’s men racking up some huge wins along the way.

Reflecting on the season, Harding, who returned to the fold in January some 20 months after stepping down as coach, was delighted with his team’s progress.

“I’m really pleased with the improvement we made,” he said. “We definitely stepped up a gear in each game.

“We really started to throw the ball around and use all 15 players.

“We played with a style that I want us to play with, particularly towards the end of the season when we put on some very big scores.

“We’re losing three players for next season so there is a lot of work to be done in pre-season.

“Steve is going abroad and Jake and Duncan Bezzant are going away to university.”