Cross Keys’ Greg Woods has been named Principality Premiership Coach of the Year.
Woods beat other shortlisted nominees including 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.
Pontypridd centre Dafydd Lockyer clinched Principality Premiership Player of the Year award for the second year in a row.
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.
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.”