The evening started off in remembrance of two Oldfield Legends Roy Farnham and Den Parker, who had both sadly passed away at the end of last year and it seemed only fitting that, Den Parker’s very gracious gift of £500 that he had bequeathed to Oldfield in his Will, for the club’s players to enjoy one last drink on him at a social event, went behind the bar on the night.

After grace had been said by Oldfield President Mark Butt and a hearty meal consumed, Oldfield prop and MC on the night, James Godwin got proceedings underway with few playful awards handed out, the first ‘The Golden Cock’ award went to Dave McHugh and much to the amusement of those present Arron Collins-Thomas and Jack Ricketts were ribbed about missing training for ‘colds.’

Oldfield President Mark Butt then introduced past Player & Club Captain Steve Withey who presented the Club with his Somerset Cap and Match Shirt from the 1997 County Championship Final, which will be framed and take pride of place in the Clubhouse for the start of next season.

The Clubs guest speaker, ex Bristol and England full back Paul Hull was then called to the floor along with Head Coach and newly crowned heavy weight Boxing Champ from the, Friends of Huck Charity Fund Raising Boxing Event, Chris Lilley. These, fine gentleman then entertained the audience with a spirited Q&A infusing insightful experiences from their careers with some lively questions from the floor. Chris Lilley went on to praise the player’s efforts this season and highlighted how far they had come as a group; with a good pre season to come, all can look forward to next season with relish.

Before the awards were handed out, Oldfield’s Youth Chairman and last season’s Clubman of the Year 2013/14, Lee Morris gave an impassioned speech about the success of the Clubs Youth section. Formed in September 2013 Oldfield’s Youth numbers have doubled and on Saturday mornings at Fortress Shaft Road, seventy plus children from U6, U7 & U8’s and U9’s, 10’s & 11’s can be found enjoying all the benefits that grass roots rugby has to offer and this has in turn spurned success for our U7’s & U8’s winning recent fixtures.

Lee thanked Oldfield’s Youth Coaches, with special mentions to Jason Humphries for his administration skills, Paul Tyrell, James Read and Sean Collins for their hard work and enthusiasm. Lee commented on how many children stuck around after their training session’s to watch the senior sides when they were in action at home, helping to forge links between the Youth and the Senior sides and reinforcing the spirit of Oldfield’s ‘One Club’ ethos.

It was then time to get onto the serious business of handing out this year’s awards with 2nd XV Captain Josh Swaby getting things underway. Praising the commitment and spirit of Oldfield’s 2nd XV players who had had a great season with some outstanding team performance’s not least of all the final game of the season that saw them lose by a single point, 33-34 to promotion chasing Old Bristolians II and back to back wins, beating Old Culverhaysians away 0-43, Old Redcliffians III and Gordano II 52-7 and 7-54 respectively and completing the double over local rivals, Walcot 2nds in good spirited and nail biting encounters, 17-7 & 15-18.

With a pool of great depth and strength in players it was returning player and Oldfield Youth Coach, Paul Tyrrell who was the deserved winner of this year’s 2nd XV Player of the Year 2014/15 after an outstanding season.

Club and 1st XV Captain Rob Payne began with a special mention to Den Parker and thanked Oldfield’s volunteers, Tony Chapman, Julian & Sandra Stainer and Donna Bunton for their commitment to the Club and to Physio Fliss Doyle, with a special shout out and thank you to the Club’s Old Boys who come up, week in week out to support the boys and cheer them on in all weather. He then went on to applaud the dedication of the Club’s Coaches, Chris Lilley, Ben Gillow, Ed Robinson, Mark Lilley and Aidan Ascott and all the players who pulled together this season resulting in some formidable and dogged performances, most notably beating Minehead Barbarians 45-7 and Wiveliscombe 44-24 and a resounding 46-20 win away at Southern Counties South Corsham RFC in the Bath Combination Vase Competition, a massive achievement for this young and evolving squad who closed out a solid season.

Finally, before handing out the awards Rob Payne then went on to thank Club Chairman and Treasurer Pat Bunton, for his enduring passion, loyalty and hard work on behalf of the Club encapsulating the ethos of ‘One Club’ running as a thread though all we do.

It was then time to hand out the second award of the evening, which was for Most Improved Player of the Year 2014/15 and the happy recipient was Steve McHugh. Young Player of the Year 2014/15 went to the versatile Harry Smith, with the ever-impressive Charlie Yuille wining 1st XV Player of the Year 2014/15 and the very popular Kallan Martin honoured with the Tony Sweet 1st XV Players Player of the Year 2014/15 award.

Club Chairman Pat Bunton took to the floor to present this year’s thoroughly deserved Clubman of the Year and Unsung Hero. He too echoed the sentiment of the Club’s ‘One Club’ spirit thanking the Coaches, Captains and Players and all of the Clubs volunteers for their hard work and dedication. He specifically thanked Donna his wife for all her hard work, running the Club’s website, match Programmes and photography, plus much more and commented on the hard work Julian & Sandra Stainer did each week feeding the boys, for which they received the Unsung Hero Award. Pat Bunton went on to praise the hard and often unseen work that Groundsman Tony Chapman puts in and he was recognized for his huge efforts with the, Clubman of the Year 2014/15 Award.

The celebrations went on long into the night and the Club now looks forward to preparing for the upcoming 2015/16 Season.

2014/15 Award Winners

1st XV Player of the Year - Charlie Yuille

The Tony Sweet Players Player of the Year - Kallan Martin

2nd XV Player of the Year - Paul Tyrrell

Young Player of the Year - Harry Smith

Most Improved Player of the Year - Steve McHugh

Unsung Hero - Julian & Sandra Stainer

Clubman of the Year - Tony Chapman