The Saints has had a memorable year as a club, reaching both the Amlin Challenge Cup and LV= Cup finals and the Aviva Premiership semi-finals for a fifth successive season. Meanwhile the Wanderers reached the Aviva ‘A’ League final and the club’s youngsters lifted the Premiership Rugby Academies League title.
On the international front Saints stole headlines in the Autumn and Six Nations international periods, with 14 players representing half-a-dozen countries during the season.
So there is a lot to celebrate at the End of Season Awards Dinner (sponsored by Matrix Networks) on Monday, May 19th, with the final decision as to who takes home the major prizes coming down to the people in the stands who have watched the team, week in, week out.
Every player in the squad is available for voting in the Supporters’ Player of the Season (sponsored by Steffans Northampton). So whether it is tackling and try machine Samu Manoa, Mr Consistent Phil Dowson, newcomer Kahn Fotuali’i or any other of the 48 players to have worn a first team shirt this season, the choice is up to you!
As in previous seasons, the club’s coaches have chosen a five-man short-list for Young Player of the Season (sponsored by Ewing Associates). All five have seen plenty of action in the first team this season, and have stood out with their performances.
The five players are Tom Collins, Mike Haywood, Will Hooley, Tom Stephenson and Ethan Waller.
Meanwhile the 96 tries scored so far this season have been whittled down to a 10-strong short-list for Try of the Season (sponsored by Trevor Dighton). These scores are:
Try 1: KEN PISI v Exeter | Aviva Premiership R1
Try 2: GEORGE PISI v Exeter | Aviva Premiership R2
Try 3: JAMIE ELLIOTT v Gloucester | Aviva Premiership R3
Try 4: GEORGE PISI v Sale | Aviva Premiership R4
Try 5: ALEX CORBISIERO v Leicester | Aviva Premiership R5
Try 6: JAMIE ELLIOTT v Saracens | Aviva Premiership R6
Try 7: SAMU MANOA v Bath | Aviva Premiership R11
Try 8: SAMU MANOA v Saracens | LV= Cup R4
Try 9: TOM STEPHENSON v Gloucester | Aviva Premiership R16
Try 10: BEN FODEN v Sale | Amlin Challenge Cup QF
Voting for the awards is open now, and closes at 12noon on Wednesday, May 14th.
To cast your vote head to www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/seasonawards
The gongs themselves will be handed out at the End of Season Awards Dinner on Monday, May 19th, along with the caps and cufflinks to those players who have passed the 50, 100 and 200-appearance mark this season, and the Players’ Player of the Season (sponsored by Carlsberg UK), which is voted for by the players themselves.
