Annual Dinner Report, Saturday 16th May 2009 by Iestyn Pratt

The club has enjoyed remarkable success at many levels this season and the evening gave those present a chance to reflect on those successes and look forward to the challenges of next season.

The evening saw a number of players receive their Bournville colours from first team captain Nick Southern, including star centre Tim Corcoran who will be leaving the club to return to Australia next season.

The first team’s success in the league and cup this season meant the Player of the Year Award was a very tough decision for the committee. Carl Colvin, whose powerful running and strong defence proved a problem for opposition all season, was presented the award after a fine season. The ex-Moseley centre also received the Steven Rice Trophy as the season’s leading try-scorer with 19.

Simon Andrews and Nick Freeman received the 2^nd and 3^rd team players of the year respectively, both thoroughly deserving their honours after consistent performances all season.

The Colts Player of the Year award was this year shared between Jack McCarthy and Muaz Buaben proving that the grassroots of the club are producing the calibre of player that the club will need in seasons to come. We are looking forward to seeing these young players breaking into the senior sides in the years to come.

On the other end of the rugby playing spectrum, Andrew Wilson was awarded the Neil Suddaby Memorial Trophy as Hippo of the Year. The Hippos motto has never been more apposite.

Finally, the award for Clubman of the Year went to Adam “HE-MAN” Hardy. His work with the Hippos has the seen the team receive the RFU President’s Veterans’ XV award. A remarkable achievement for a side which has only been running for two seasons.

With next season being the club’s centenary year, the successes of 2008/09 show that the club has every opportunity to further build upon these foundations.