Queens had their awards dinner on Friday 18th May. It was a great night and thank you to Chris Canetti for organising and Kate Bliss from La Creme De La Creme Catering for sorting the food to such a high standard!

Award winners were as follows:
Player of the Season- Zac Faumui
Players' Player- Tom Clarke
Clubman of the Season- Dan Over
Top Try Scorer- Joe Nasaucoko- 11 tries
Performance of the season- Simon Brading
Ray Mann award- Simon Flemming
Try of the season- Joe Nasaucoko

It was a season of change for Queens. New League, New Coach, New Chairman and a number of New Players.

Despite most of the Queens players comfortably playing at this level previously it was a shock to the system after two years in Midlands 4. Leading 18-11 at half time against BBOB's it looked like all was well, but a second half capitulation and a realisation that we had to tackle in this league lead to the home side streaking away with a further 30 points.

The first home game saw Queens well and truly pumped by Northampton Casuals following an experimental team line up from the new coach Sheridan Smith, who was still trying to find his best 15.

Despite this a vital win at Mens Own followed thanks the the Fijian flyer Joe Nasaucoko's two long range efforts and a win in the cup against Old Coventrians.

This was then followed by a strong spell up until the end of the season with victories against Stockwood, Rushden and Daventry at home with the team buoyed by the arrival of Sam Richbell and James Hawken alongside regular game time for Gareth Alred, Simon Brading and the return of former captain Luke Wilson.

2018 would see Sheridan Smith be replaced by Sam Richbell. Queens come close to beating 2nd place casuals with the last kick of the game conversion just not having enough on it and a comprehensive team performance saw them beat Rushden 20-0 away from home. Yet the biggest game of the season was against unbeaten league leaders St Ives.

Everyone on the field stepped up and produced a fantastic performance to win 6-5 and end the Cambridgeshire side's unbeaten run.

This also pretty much secured Queens place in Midlands 3 but disapointingly Queens let their foot off the gas with the remaining games and could not get a single victory for the rest of the season. This included some very winnable games against teams around or below Queens in the league. Even winning half of these games would have meant Queens would have pushed for much higher in the league and at least finished 8th which they held for 90% of the season.

So 10th place in the end but consolidation for the boys leading up to Queens 100th year celebrations. More consistency in performance, availability and ultimately selection could see Queens more succesful on the park next year.

Well done to all involved and let's hope our centenary is another great season!