ANDREW Houston was crowned Cumnock Rugby Club’s player of the year at their recent annual awards event.

The domestic rugby season came to a premature end due to the COVID-19 pandemic but that didn’t stop the Cumnock club recognising the achievements of their squads as the player of the year awards took place online.

Sean Houston, Michael Anderson, Barry O’Dowd and Alex Apthorpe were all in the running for the prestigious player of the year award but it was Andrew Houston who came out on top.

Houston picked up another accolade, along with Alex Apthorpe, with the pair recognised for scoring the most tries - 12 each - for the club over the course of the truncated season.

Most improved player of the year went to prop Euan Bell with the coaching team believing this was the season where he came out his shell and made himself a regular first choice pick for his position.

Back row Ruairidh Airlie was crowned as young player of the year – an award which is always greatly contested with the high number of young talented players coming through the system to reach the senior section each year.

The last award of the evening was most deserving player of the year which goes to the player who always gives 100 per cent, and puts their body on the line every game with a technical knowledge and fitness level that sets an example to the rest of the squad.

That accolade went to club captain Robbie McLaren.

It wasn’t just the first team that was recognised – two awards were handed out to the second team.

Rory Boswell won second team player of the year for the second year running while Andrew Harkiss won most improved player of the year.

The winners were: 1st XV player of the year: Andrew Houston; 1st XV young player of the year: Ruairidh Airlie; 1st XV most improved player: Euan Bell; Top try scorer: Alex Apthorpe and Andy Houston; Most deserving player: Robbie McLaren; 2nd XV player of the year: Rory Boswell and 2nd XV most improved player: Andrew Harkiss.

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