HEREFORD United's Tony James has won the Evening News/Ray Mercer Memorial Trophy for the second time in three seasons.

The prize is awarded for the best average rating for players across six clubs - Bromsgrove Rovers, Evesham United, Hereford, Kidderminster Harriers, Stourport Swifts and Worcester City.

Graham Turner's side have dominated the competition in recent years with James' wins sandwiched either side of winger Paul Parry lifting the Trophy.

Bulls' captain James landed the award after another outstanding season during their record-breaking for Nationwide Conference campaign.

While United's campaign ultimately ended in disappointment with a play-off semi-final exit to Aldershot Town, James has the consolation of being rated the best performer with an average of 7.43 at the heart of the Hereford defence.

His lethal accuracy from the penalty spot also netted him nine goals as the Bulls equalled Barnet's 103 Conference' scoring record.

Ex-Spurs and Barnet boss Peter Shreeves dubbed James the best defender in the Conference and a string of consistent performances backed up that assertion.

In second overall was Bromsgrove Rovers' defender Dave Benton (7.23), who despite seeing his side miss out on promotion was a consistent performer.

Hereford keeper Matt Baker (7.14) was third overall, just edging out Worcester City's Danny McDonnell (7.12) .

For Hereford joint third place went to Steve Guinan and Rob Purdie with (7.00). Top scorer Guinan bagged 29 goals in 41 appearances, and his departure to Cheltenham Town will be a blow to the club but Purdie's excellent form towards the end of the campaign bodes well.

At Worcester, McDonnell, who won the players' player and supporters' player of the year, proved outstanding once again..

His form merited a call-up to the England National Game XI and he was instrumental in City gaining their best league finish in 15 seasons.

Striker Leon Kelly ran McDonnell close, with his uncompromising style of play and powerful running, winning over the St George's Lane crowd.

Kelly scored 16 league goals and averaged 6.98 which put him ahead of stalwarts Carl Heeley (6.82) and Jon Holloway (6.74) who proved consistent performers for John Barton's team.

Elsewhere among the local clubs Linton Bailey emerged top for Evesham United (6.74) ahead of Inderpaul Khela (6.56) and Andy Smith (6.48).

At Stourport Swifts, Craig Webb, who began the season as a trialist, scooped the players' player, manager's player and supporters' player of the year awards which was reflected in an average of 6.83 just ahead of forward Richard Ball (6.81).

Benton (7.23) topped Rovers marks just ahead of striker Paul Szewczyk (7.00) and Steve Pope (6.85).

Kidderminster Harriers, who had a huge turnover of players, saw Wayne Hatswell (6.93) head their roll-call, with Craig Hinton (6.19) second in front of Scott Stamps (6.18), who has since been released by manager Jan Molby.