THE Green family were the surprise recipients of a major club award at the Malvern RFC junior dinner and presentation evening held at the club's Spring Lane HQ last Friday.

Rob and Wendy Green were joined by their two son's Ben and Adam, who play for the Malvern U17 and U15 squads, to receive the Junior Clubman of the Year Award for their unstinting support to the Malvern RFC YDS over the past eight years.

Rob Green, who farms in Powick, has always found the time to support his boys' teams and readily assists with the pre- and post-match chores. Wendy Green also attends matches to cheer her boys on but always busies herself in the clubhouse at home matches.

The Green's received the award from RFU Rugby Development Officer Gary Meechan, who was the club's special guest for the evening.

The prestigious Malvern RFC Junior Player of the Year Award was presented to fourteen-year-old Will Bowen for an outstanding season which has taken him to the West Midlands Elite Player Development Centre (EPDC) and the captaincy of the Worcester RGS U14 A team, the Malvern U14 Pirates and the Worcestershire U14 Development squad.

Club mates Liam Moloney and Matthew Tighe, who play for the Malvern U15 squad and also attend the EPDC with Will Bowen, were jointly awarded the Youth Chairman's Cup.

Thirteen-year-old Rhys Coles was presented with a Coaches Award for an eventful season that has seen the young player mature into a very talented rugby-footballer. It was topped with notable performances for the Worcestershire U13 WASP Development squad and a trip to the Daily Telegraph Emerging School's finals at Twickenham with his team mates from The Chase.

In addition, special awards were made by the U17 squad players to their coaches; Simon Dixon, Tim Clarke and Simon Puttick who ended their eight year stint with the Malvern RFC YDS at the end of the season.

Of the three, only Simon Dixon is preparing to move on to a coaching position in the senior side of the club with his players to form a much needed Colts/Development Squad for next season.

Other awards made during the evening were:

Squad Player of the year: Jonathan Lancett (U13), David Morgans (U14), Adam Green (U15), Andy Powell (U16), Stuart Clark (U17).

Most improved player: Dale Morton (U13), Sam Stone (U14), Dan Bonimini (U15), Kris Rodway (U16) and Adam Dixon (U17).

Best forward: Dan Jeynes (U13), David Wood (U14), Richie Richardson (U15), Jasper Johns (U16), Simon Puttick (U17).

Best back: Vaughn Thomas (U13), Richard Pitt (U14), Jamie Blackmore (U15), Tom Kennedy-Hughes (U16), Jon Wall (U17).

Squadman of the year: Luke Armitage (U13), Tom King (U14), Matt Snowdon, Julian Pounsett & Jonathan Lewis (U15), Stephen Bowen and Andy Hill (U16), Matt Hipwell (U17).

Summing-up the evening Gary Tolley, the out-going chairman of Youth Rugby, said the Malvern RFC YDS had come of age and that more and more local young people are benefiting from their association with Malvern RFC, whether a junior club member or as part of the club's community.

The Malvern RFC Junior rugby teams now take a few months rest before pre-season training begins in August ahead of a very challenging season for the club as a whole.