FOR the first time for at least 15 years, an Under 12s team won the Junior Team of the Year award at Crediton Rugby Club.

Sam Hill, who played for Crediton RFC as a junior, who has been capped for England at U18 and U20, presented awards at the club's Junior Section evening.

Junior chairman, Colin Mackenzie, said the club has more than 200 junior boys and girls who train regularly, supported by more than 20 qualified coaches, and has strong links with the community.

The youngsters come from a wide area including Chulmleigh and Exeter, and the section is growing.

For several years the club has held the RFC Seal of Approval, one of the first Devon clubs to achieve this.

Mr Mackenzie praised the juniors for upholding the rugby ethos of enjoyment, fair play, safety and behaviour.

He said the U12s gained the cup because they had not only performed well this season, but had shown a good team ethos in the spirit of rugby. It was unusual for a team from the U9s to U12s section to win the Team of the Year cup.

An U12s member, Conrad Saunders, won the Mini Player of the Year award. Jamie Mackenzie, U15s captain this year, won the mounted rugby ball that also bears Sam Hill's name as Junior Player of the Year.

Jamie is one of five Crediton players at the School of Rugby at Sandypark, Exeter, for the top players in the county. All five play for Devon. Jamie has captained the county side once this season.

His coach has said he shows leadership on the field, is a robust tackler and a good leader on and off the field. James lives and breaths the rugby ethos.

Katrina May received the Clubman award, a special award for someone who has "done the club proud", a sort of "unsung hero". She runs the club Kit Shop for senior and junior players, the U15s tournament catering, catering for junior teams through the year and is a member of both the Junior and Senior Rugby Club committees.

The Chairman's Bouquet, introduced last year, is a personal thank you from Mr Mackenzie for someone who "goes the extra mile". This went to Dawn Tonkin.

Awards

The U9s, winners of the Devon Festival plate in their age group, awards were: best tackler - Tom Murphy, most improved player - Tom Guscott, player of the year - Patrick Brady.

U10s - best tackler - Lewis Webb, most improved player - Josh Atkinson, player of the year - Kenny Stone.

U11s - winners of the Devon Festival Plate, best tackler - Ry Fawscett, most improved player - Jacob Turner, player of the year - Tyler Farley.

U12s - best tackler - Danny Martin, most improved - Callum Vanstone, player of the year - Barrie Karea.

U13s - best tackler - Olliver Hughes, most improved - Jack Reed, player of the year - Robbie Guthrie.

U14s - best tackler - Charlie Luxton, most improved - Dillon O'Connor, player of the year -0 Harry Bunting.

U15s - the first team at Crediton to have reached the final of the Devon Cup in each age group - U13, U14 and U15. Best tackler - James Stanbury and Andrew May, most improved - Dan Yendell, player of the year - Alex Rodd.

U16s - best tackler - Oscar Lightfoot, most improved - Michael Twomey, player of the year - Rowan Dumper-Pollard.

They are the only team in the junior section to play in a league, the North Devon League, the other teams play friendlies. The U16s finished third in the league.