Celtic Crusaders held their third annual awards night at their Brewery Field home in Bridgend on Friday night as they celebrated yet another successful season.

Darren Mapp, who successfully stood in as captain when Jace Van Dijk was injured for a lengthy spell this season, was acknowledged with three awards – “Best Forward”, “Hit of the Season” and the coveted “Players’ Player of the Year”.

Mapp, along with Paul Ballard, Neil Budworth, Chris Beasley, Mark Dalle Cort and Gareth Dean, were all honoured for making 50 or more first team appearances for the Crusaders.

Damien Quinn, who was just pipped to the post for the Player’s Player award took two of the other main honours – “Supporters’ Player of the Year” and “Player of the Year” – to add to his Co-operative National League One award that he claimed a fortnight ago.

Quinn was understandably happy at winning both trophies.

“I was especially pleased to win the award from the supporters,” he said. “It was a really nice recognition. I’d like thank all of them for their support. They do a whole lot of travelling like us and all the players appreciate it.

“I was also honoured to win Player of the Year in what was such a successful season for us. The fantastic players in the whole squad made it possible for me to win the award so I’d like to thank them for putting me in such a position.”

Tony Duggan, with 21 tries in 2008, was once again presented with the “Top Try Scorer” award as well as winning “Best Back”.

“Top Points Scorer” was Mark Lennon with 225 for the season, while his fellow Welsh international Anthony Blackwood was rewarded for “Try of the Season” – a 100 metre effort away at Halifax in the Northern Rail Cup.

The young Welshmen who led Crusaders Colts to the Conference National title weren’t forgotten.

Ben Flower, who looks destined to win his first Welsh cap on Friday after less than a year in the professional game, took the first team’s “Young Player of the Year” award for his outstanding performances when elevated to the NL1 for a period in the latter half of 2008.

Flower, who was in the Colts’ final line-up in the win over Bramley last weekend said: “It’s been an amazing first season for me in rugby league and I was honoured to win tonight. I’m now looking forward to the Welsh game on Friday if selected.”

Two out of the three official Colts awards were also won by players who have first team experience and who are in the Welsh squad to face England at the Keepmoat Stadium. 

Geraint Davies picked up the “Best Forward” accolade and Lee Williams won “Best Back”.

The Colts’ “Coach’s Award” was won by the up and coming Wales A and under 18 international Mark Wool.

Finally Volunteer of the Year was won by Paul Mathias, who assists with team and kit management duties at all home matches.

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