The 16 stone, 6’3” powerhouse played a pivotal role in Pontypridd’s title-winning season. His incisive running angles allowed him to power through the toughest of defences scoring four league tries and setting up many more. He saw off the other shortlisted nominees – Cross Keys flanker and captain Robert Nash and his team-mate hooker Gerwyn Price – to become the first player to win the award twice.
The 26-year-old centre from the Cynon Valley made 30 appearnances for the Sardis Road club this season, including some outstanding performances in February to be awarded the Principality Premiership player of the month accolade.
He said: “I am surprised to win the award this season but delighted. Winning the Principality Premiership meant everything to us as a club this season, especially after losing out to Llanelli as we did last season. We said last year we would put that right and to win the Cup and League over a two year period is great. Our supporters have been terrific throughout and I dedicate this award to them.”
Llanelli full back and centre Jordan Williams took the Best Newcomer accolade in what has been another outstanding season for youngsters bursting on to the scene in the Premiership. Williams was among the likes of Harry Robinson and Luke Morgan to win a Principality Premiership Player of the Month award this season and with Robinson starting for Wales on Saturday and Morgan in South Africa with Wales Under 20 he is in good company.
The other shortlisted nominees were Llanelli and Wales Under 20 flanker Daniel Thomas and Carmarthen Quins and Wales Under 20 prop Robert Evans. The title is highly prestigious being won in the past by such names such as Ospreys, Wales and Lions lock Alun Wyn Jones, Cardiff Blues Wing Tom James and Ospreys outside half Mathew Morgan who won it only last year.
The Coach of the Year award went to Cross Keys’ Greg Woods, with the other shortlisted nominees last year’s winner Dale McIntosh of Pontypridd and Llandovery’s Lyndon Lewis. Woods’ side overcame Pontypridd to win the SWALEC Cup final and reached the British & Irish Cup final after a particularly impressive win in the semi-final over the Cornish Pirates, and although falling in the final to Munster A it was still a memorable run of form. Their SWALEC Cup win brought the first silverware in 127 years of the club’s history.
Other awards included the Unsung Hero award for services to rugby awarded to Richard Evans of Pontypridd for his longstanding commitment as the club’s statistician, while the Principality Premiership Referee of the Year went to Ian Davies presented by Graeme Yorston, Chief Operating Officer of the Principality.
The Premiership’s top try scorer was Bridgend’s wing wizard Luke Morgan with top points scorer Jamie Davies of Aberavon. A special award was given to Aberavon’s Richard Morris to recognise his achievement in making over 500 appearances for the Talbot Athletic Ground club.
WRU Head of Rugby Joe Lydon said, “The Principality Premiership continues to produce not only future professional rugby players but coaches and referees of calibre too. It is a level of our rugby pathway that we are very proud of and are working hard, together with the clubs and all those involved to ensure it continues to grow year on year.”
