That time Matt just held off a late charge from Danny Barker. This time it was a lot clearer taking almost half the first choice votes, although as with past winners there were a few who didn’t have him in their top three.

About two third of the way through the season, someone asked me who I thought would get the MoS. I named the player I thought was favourite at the time, but they went for Matt, and clearly knew what they were talking about, as he finished the season in excellent form.

Matt made his debut in 2010, and the cancellation of the Pizza Cup games meant he will have to wait until next season to make his 200th appearance (he finished on 198) and is also two short of 50 career tries.

His 20 appearances this season saw him in both front and back rows and whilst no start this season in the back division he found himself there in the Anselmians game (and possibly at other times).

Matt also finished the season with most MoMs, most votes across all the games, most games with a vote. So a very popular choice.

Eight of the fourteen players on the list had at least one vote

Runner Up

Luke Atkinson

One of the batch of young players who have come though and done so well this season. Luke was one I had not heard of before, but certainly made an excellent impression in his early appearances, including coming up against Denny Solomona, not the calibre of player who expect to encounter at our level.

Best of the Rest

Dan Shorrock

Top try scorer, despite not getting a lot of quick ball to work with, but in the final League game at Stockport, show what could happen if he did.

Just one vote (over three rounds) behind Dan was Aaron Stephens, another of the young players who with a season’s experience will come back even better next season.

Not the biggest vote (in line with a good match turn out) – maybe I left it too long after the end of the season.

Thanks to all those who voted both for the Man of the Season, and for all the individual Man of the Match this season.