2016/17 season awards

Ayr RFC toasted a wonderful season at Ayr Racecourse on Friday evening, and handed out an array of awards to some very deserving men and women.

After a sumptuous three-course meal and a tribute to the club by Ayr RFC legend Norrie Lymburn, who came out of retirement to speak at the dinner, coaches from all the sections of the club awarded the accolades to their players before everyone danced the night away to the tunes of DJ Stefan Janik.

Scooping the top award of the evening was George Hunter, who was named 1st XV player of the year.

George returned to the stage to pay tribute to Will Bordill, the flanker having played his last match for Ayr as he moves to London for work commitments. He was presented with cufflinks from his team-mates with 46 engraved on them, the number of times he played for the club in his three seasons at Millbrae.

Will scored ten tries in a pink and black shirt and made up a formidable back row with Blair Macpherson and Pete McCallum, and will be sincerely missed by all at Millbrae.

Grant Anderson was called upon to present Ross Curle with a framed gallery of some of his most memorable moments playing for Ayr in the last eight years as the centre contemplates retirement. The door remains opens to Ross, with fans hoping he will be dancing back through it next season.

Director of rugby Jim Lymburn presented Craig Stevenson with the inspiration award. The 21-year-old received a liver transplant nine years ago and battled back to health, going on to captain Ayr U18s and making his 1st XV debut last season.

Catherine Shennan was named Ayr Ladies player of the year, with Tony Hall the Millbrae RFC player of the year. Awards were also presented to Ayr 2nd XV and Ayr-Wellington U16 and U18 boys, with coaches having struggled to pick just a few players to receive prizes in a season that has seen each and every player from every section contribute the club's success.

1st XV
George Hunter - player of the year
David Armstrong - players' player of the year
Lewis Anderson - most improved player
Stafford McDowall - young player of the year

2nd XV
Graham Hunter - player of the year
Paddy Dewhirst - players' player of the year
Zac Howard and Lewis Young - most improved players
Robbie Smith - young player of the year

Ayr Ladies
Catherine Shennan - player of the year
Julie David - players' player of the year
Joanne Jones - best newcomer
Erin McSorley - young player of the year

Millbrae RFC
Tony Hall - player of the year
Gregor Hynds - most improved player

Ayr-Wellington U18 boys
Cameron Reece - player of the year
Cameron Reece - players' player of the year
Logan Richardson - most improved player
Seth Rae - most committed
Rory McMurray - top try-scorer

Ayr-Wellington U16 boys
Harry Ledgerwood - player of the year
Ollie Mossie - players' player of the year
Dylan Wilson - most improved player

Photos courtesy of George McMillan.