A restructuring of the women’s season saw the club and regional competitions completed before Christmas with the move being credited for bringing a number of new players to the attention of the national coaches.
The awards evening was hosted by Wales legend Scott Quinnell who gave out prizes to the winners and star players of each division.
Penallta Miner Birds were crowned Division Three champions with a perfect record of seven wins from seven games. After entering the division for the first time ever this season, this was an impressive effort and the team are now looking forward to carrying their success into the forthcoming Bowl and Shield competitions. Chelsea Cashman from the Miner Birds was named as Division Three’s player of the competition.
Croesyceiliog saw off the Division Two competition as they finished the league top of the pile but it was Sea View’s Rafuke Taylor who impressed most. The wing was named as the league’s player of the competition and carried her form into the regional competition with the Blues, earning her first appearance for Wales in the recent non cap international against Spain in the process.
Seven Sisters were unstoppable in Division One, securing a bonus point win in each of their games to deservedly be crowned champions. Jenny Davies was their star player.
In a competitive Premier Division, Neath secured the title with a 47-10 bonus point win over Cardiff Quins on the final day of the season. The two sides pulled clear of the rest though both Pontyclun and Cardiff Met gave them something to worry about. Wales captain and Pontyclun star Gemma Hallett was named as the division’s player of the competition.
Following the success of the club competition, the regional teams were then selected and after a hard fought battle, it was the Ospreys who were crowned champions. Second row Shona Powell Hughes claimed the Premiership player of the competition for the winners.
Awards list in full:
Division Three winners: Penallta Miner Birds.
Division Thee player of the competition: Chelsea Cashman (Penallta Miner Birds)
Division Two winners: Croesyceiliog
Division Two player of the competition: Rafuke Taylor (Sea View)
Division One winners: Seven Sisters
Division One Player of the competition: Jenny Davies (Seven Sisters)
Premiership winners: Neath
Premiership player of the competition: Gemma Hallett (Pontyclun)
Regional winners: Ospreys
Regional player of the competition: Shona Powell Hughes (Ospreys)
Coach / Volunteer recognition award: Gordon Snape (Gwernyfed)
