BUDE RFC held their annual presentation evening at the Crooklets Beach Cafe on Saturday, June 1 with awards handed out to all three senior sides.
The Seasiders had a season of transition in the 2023/24 campaign with the first team finishing second bottom in Counties One Western West, the seconds last in Counties Three Cornwall and the ladies mid-table in Women’s NC 2 South West (West).
Looking ahead, the first team have decided to stay in Counties One Western West after being given the option of staying at Step Seven, while the seconds will hope to put together some more wins.
The ladies were always going to find it tough at times with several key players missing for large parts of the season, but did manage to compete which allowed some new faces to shine.
The first team awards were dominated by number eight Ben Hancock and hooker Rory Mead.
Hancock was the Players’ Player and Top Try Scorer while Mead’s efforts in the front row earned him the Player of the Year and Fred Saxton’s captain’s player gong.
The seconds saw five separate winners, while the ladies also had various players recognised.
The award winners were as follows: Clubman of the Year – Andrew Sillifant; Talan Penny Young Player of the Year – Harvey Cholwill.
![Andrew Sillifant and Harvey Cholwill, Bude RFC.](https://www.bude-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/06/27/14/17/22.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
First Team: Most Improved – Rory Hodges; Top Try Scorer – Ben Hancock; Big Hit – Ben Hancock; Players’ Player – Ben Hancock; Man of Steel – Will Hockridge; Player of the Year – Rory Mead; Captain’s Player – Rory Mead.
![Bude RFC presentation night.](https://www.bude-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/06/27/14/14/23.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
Second Team: Most Improved – Bert Seggons; Top Try Scorer – Jordan Hill; Captain’s Player – Steve Gliddon; Players’ Player – Matt Shadrick; Player of the Year – Mitch Acres.
![Bude RFC presentation night.](https://www.bude-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/06/27/14/48/24.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
Women: Captain’s Shield – Ellie Gregory; Most Improved – Laura Priest; Players’ Player – Sophie Elphick; Coaches’ Player – Jess Davey; Carrie Short Award – David Gregory.
![Sophie Elphick (left) was the Players' Player while Jess Davey (right) won David Gregory and Mike Haines' Coaches Player award.](https://www.bude-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/06/27/14/20/25.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
![Bude RFC presentation night.](https://www.bude-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/06/27/14/31/26.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
See the ‘Bude RFC’ Facebook page for further information ahead of the new season.