END OF SEASON POLL PART 1

  So the votes are in, they have been counted and the results independently ratified (well the dog was around while I did it). In true Eurovision fashion, here we have the results from the Saracens jury…..  

1. Saracens Player of the year (2013/14 Alex Goode)With honourable mentions to Billy Vunipola & Chris Ashton, this was a 3 way split. First to fall by the wayside (and therefore in 3^rd place) was Saracens “Mr Versatile” Chris Wyles. The votes between the top 2 were very close but in the end Petrus du Plessis didn’t quite make it and finished in 2^nd place while this year’s Saracen’s Player of the Year is Hooker-extraordinaire Jamie George

2. Saracens Young Player of the Year (2013/14 Maro Itoje)There was really no contest for this category. Ben Spencer and Jamie George attracted a few votes, but for the second successive season, Saracen’s Young Player of the Year is Maro Itoje

3. Saracens old player of the Year (2013/14 Steve Borthwick). Another very close vote in this category. Neil de Kock and Jacques Burger attracted a couple of votes but the real contest was between 2 veterans who both had brilliant seasons. By the narrowest of margins, Charlie Hodgson was just pipped at the post by Saracen’s Old Player of the Year Petrus Du Plessis

4. Aviva Premiership Player of the Year (non Saracens) (2013/14 Chris Pennell) This category produced a wide variety of nominations. Dave Ewers, Mike Brown and Henry Slade had a bit of support as did Samu Manoa, Francois Louw and George Ford but in the end it came down to a 2 horse race. Jonathan Joseph was popular with many but he was outvoted by this year’s Aviva Premiership Player of the Year Thomas Waldrom

5. International Player of the Year (must play outside Aviva Premiership) (2013/14 Julian Savea). Once again lots of interesting nominations. All Blacks featured prominently including Ma Nonu, Julian Savea (again), Brodie Retaillick & Israel Dagg, along with Wallaby Israel Folua, Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton, Wales’ Leigh Halfpenny, England’s Nick Abendanon, Springbok Willie Le Roux, and even an American Danny Barrett, but the winner of the International Player of the year is that guy we all love to hate Steffon Armitage

6. Favourite Saracens Player? (2013/14 Marcelo Bosch) Clearly we all have our favourites and they are all different! Schalk Brits got a few votes as always as did a large number of the squad including Maro Itoje, Jacques Burger(of course) Chris Wyles, Nick de Jaeger, Alex Goode & Chris Ashton but your Favourite Saracen’s Player was Billy Vunipola

7. Best performance by an opposition player against Saracens (2013/14 Steffon Armitage) This was a tricky one. Alex Lewington’s Hat-trick for Irish was a popular choice. Several people went for James’ Hook’s match winning kick at Kingsholm. There was support for Connor Murray’s performance at Thomond Park and for Magnus Lund and Danny Cipriani in the loss away to Sale. Joe Rokocoko & Thomas Waldrom both got a mention as did Calum Calrke & someone (who shall remain nameless) even went for Dylan Hartley – enough said. But the Best Performance by an Opposition Player against Saracens, for his impeccable kicking down at Sandy Park, went to Gareth Steenson.

8. The Albanese Award for the worst performance by an Opposition Player against Saracens (2013/14 Graham Hughes). You clearly have long memories because Graham Hughes again got several votes. Tim Wigglesworth (for his “error” at Welford Road) also got a mention in the “officials” stakes. The entire Quins team (for getting “nilled” at home) and the London Welsh Team (for the whole season I think) were also nominated. Dylan Hartley was a popular choice, as much for his temperament as anything but the runaway winner of the Albanese Award, for his ineptitude at Allianz was Billy Twelvetrees.

9. The Martin Johnson Memorial Least Favourite Opposition Player Award. (2013/14 Dylan Hartley) With the sole exception of Christian Wade, this was an entirely Northampton Saints category. Ben Foden, Courtney Lawes and Kerry Dickson all did their best but once again, The Martin Johnson Memorial Award goes to Dylan Hartley

10. Player you would most like to join Saracens next Season? (2013/14 Joe Launchberry) Lots of suggestions in this category: George North, David Pocock, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Jonathan Joseph, Lewis Ludlam, Ma Nonu, Courtney Lawes & Julian Savea. Richie Macaw was popular but the Player you would most like to join Saracens next season is our very own and much lamented David Strettle

    So that’s Part 1. Part 2 will follow when I can get the dog to sit down again.