COACH
OF THE MONTH
That
steadfast partnership of Peter Hartley and Michael Harrison have seen their
Wharfedale side make an excellent start to the new season with three successive
league wins. They may have been against the three sides promoted into the
division but they have played some excellent rugby and conceded just two tries.
After the season they had last season when they could have been relegated on
the final days they are now at the lofty heights of third.
PLAYER
OF THE MONTH – Neil Stenhouse (Nottingham)
Neil
Shenhouse, the Scottish U21 player, has made an immediate impact at Nottingham
who have not only found a new fly half but also a goal kicker who has been
averaging 68.42. Apart from fly half he is equally at home playing full back or
on the wing and joined from Hawick in the summer and has also represented
Borders.
He
is second in the points scorers table with 44 points, four behind leader
Jonathan Gregory, from his three matches and also has a try to his name.
GOAL
KICKER OF THE MONTH - JONATHAN GREGORY
(Esher)
The
Esher winger has started the season in fine form with the boot and has an
impressive average of 88.89 with 16 of his 18 kicks being successful. That
though has only been enough to give Esher a point in the league after they
opened with successive home defeats before picking up a point at Nottingham
last week. Over the last few years Gregory has been one of the best kickers in
the National Leagues and has won this award previously when Jewson were League
sponsors.
(Qualification
10 kicks at goal)
COACH
OF THE MONTH - Nick Gandy (Blaydon)
The
28 year old Gandy took control of the coaching towards the end of last season
when Blaydon were struggling near the relegation zone and helped them win three
of their last four games to pull clear. He still has himself down as player
coach as he is more than a useful winger and has been on the bench in a couple
of matches this season. His previous coaching experience has come with his association
to Northumbria University.
On
paper matches against Darlington MP and Fylde looked like two really tough
matches and the club are delighted to have taken maximum points.
PLAYER
OF THE MONTH – Jay Van Deventer (Waterloo)
Waterloo
23 year old South African winger Jay Van Deventer has made an excellent start
to the new season and has already notched six tries with three in both the
League and the Cup from his four matches to date. He has scored in all four
games this season and has made a great start as he looks to better last season
when he scored an impressive 16 tries in 24 starts for Waterloo in the league
as they just missed out on a play off place.
GOAL
KICKER OF THE MONTH Anthony Birley (New Brighton)
93.33
with 14 out of 15 kicks going over in his sides opening two matches. The 22
year old Birley who has played in both half back positions as well as on the
wing actually had Keyhole surgery on his knee in August and missed the Powergen
Cup loss at Chester but has quickly got his kicking game going. Birley has come
through the New Brighton Academy and has spent half a season in Cornwall
playing for Launceston back in the 2000/01 season.
(Qualification
10 kicks at goal)
COACH
OF THE MONTH – Eddie Jones (Barking)
Eddie
Jones (Barking) has had a major influence in turning round the fortunes of
Barking since joining the club in the second half of last season. The former
Leeds Tykes second row has the title of Head Coach but a lot of his work will
involve forward play.
They
started the season with an emphatic home success over Basingstoke and then last
Saturday won a vital away match against a much fancied Blackheath side to
remain top of the table. There was also the little matter of knocking National
Two side Stourbridge out of the Powergen Cup.
PLAYER
OF THE MONTH – James Lancaster (Redruth)
The
Redruth openside flanker James Lancaster picks up the first player of the month
award for September. The 29 year old Kiwi is also Head coach but certainly sets
the example for his team mates to follow. He had a good game in the opening
match of the season at home to Ding Crusaders but was outstanding at Southend
last weekend. He also has an excellent try scoring record with 16 in his 46
National League matches.
He
is in his second full season with Redruth and added the coaching duties to his
CV at the start of last season.
GOAL
KICKER OF THE MONTH – Matt Holmes (N Walsham)
1st
place goes to North Walsham new boy scrum half Matt Holmes, a summer recruit
from Norwich, averaging 76.92% with 10 of his 13 attempts being successful as
North Walsham open with wins in both their league matches.
(Qualification
10 kicks at goal)