Midi Dinner and Prize Giving
Dumfries Saints Midi Dinner and Prize Giving was held at Park Farm on Sunday 1st June. There was a great turnout of players from S1 level up to U16’s along with Dumfries Lionesses Ladies Team, Coaches and Parents. Everyone enjoyed a roast beef dinner and pudding expertly prepared by one of our S2 players parents, John Roberts with help from Susan and Liz. Vice President John Wilson started off with various thanks and introduced Sam Carlisle as the newly appointed Club President who kindly came along to present the prizes.
The prize giving started with Darren Cruickshank as coach of the Ladies Team. The Ladies train on a Monday at 5.30 p.m. at Maxwelton High School and have had a good season with various friendly games and the girls were invited to play at half time of a Glasgow Warriors Game in Scotstoun. They also had players attend the KNT camp which was very worthwhile. Darren thanked Dhariat and the other coaches for their support throughout the year then awarded Eilidh Henderson with Best Player, Chireille Scott with Players Player and Laura McLellan as Most Improved Player.
Coach Fraser McMaster spoke for the S1 team and how they had improved over the past year but would now have to step up to the mark as the new S2’s. He did not feel this would be a problem for them and that they would take it in their stride as they did the transition from Mini to Midi players. The S1 coaches awarded Finlay McMaster as Best Player, Dugald MacGregor and Edward Martin as Players Player.
John Wilson as S2 team coach gave an overview of the past season for the S1/2 team. They played some friendly games at the beginning against Bishopton/Clydebank, Biggar and the team’s favourite game was against Ayr who they all took great delight in beating for the first time. Dumfries then joined in with the local league against Newton Stewart, Stewartry, Moffat, Langholm and Annan remaining undefeated in all their games for the second year running and once again winning the league. The S2 coaches awarded Scott McLellan as Best Player, Gavin Wilson as Players Player and Nathan Brown as Most Improved
A rather bleary eyed U16’s Coach Duncan Kennedy – just returned from watching Glasgow Warriors play in Ireland, summed up the season for his team. Unfortunately the U15’s team struggled with numbers this year but a few of the boys played up in the U16’s team. This helped bolster their numbers but due to injuries, mostly ‘friendly fire’, the U16’s team has struggled also. Nevertheless they have played well this season securing two trophies in recent tournaments and Duncan presented these to Robert Neil and Ian Carlisle on behalf of the team. The trophies for U16’s were awarded to William Black for most outstanding injury, Callum Scott for U15’s Most Improved, Tom Martin for U16’s Most Improved and Ian Carlisle for Players Player.
Sam Carlisle spoke briefly on how proud he was of the achievements of all the players and the high level of talent within the club. He also wished to thank the coaches. All the coaches are volunteers and give their time every week and the club were grateful to them. He also thanked the parents on behalf of the players and club for the enormous part they play in transporting and supporting the players.
A small presentation was made to Kevin Dunn, Club Steward and his wife who are leaving the club and Sam wished them both well for the future. All that was left was the raffle to conclude proceedings and mark the end of another successful season at Dumfries Saints RFC.