ArmsPark.tk Awards 04/05
Blues 04/05
By Andrew Collins
July 5 2005
Following another disappointing season, I look over the few shinning beacons of hope, and award their contributions in what can only be described as a tough year for players, staff and most importnatly us fans.
Catagories
The awards are:-
Player of The Year
Best Youngster
Best Signing
International player
Supporters Player of The Year
Best Signing
Following the demise of the Celtic Warriors, the Blues recieved a major squad boost with the addition of 9 former Warriors players. Gethin Jenkins, Deiniol Jones, Lee Thomas, Robert Sidoli, Mark Lewis, Shaun James, Matthew Nutthall and Nathan Budgett all signed up while other signings included Tristan Davies from Leeds, Fereti Tuilangi from Leicster and USA Eagles captain Kort Schubert from UC Berekely.
Kort came noteably close to winning this award, some great displays from No. 8, a position that the Blues had lacked conviction, but having worn the Lions shirt in all 3 test matches aswell as scoring a try in Wales' Grand Slam decider over Ireland, the only winner of cardiff Blues best signing award goes to,
Gethin Jenkins
International Player
This award is for the Blues player who has represented his country supurbly and resprented the Cardiff Blues on a global scale. And with 7 Grand Slam winners aswell as USA's captian, Cardiff can be proud of all their internationals from this season. Regulars to the Wales set up Rhys Williams, Martyn Williams, Robert Sidoli, Tom Shanklin and Gethin jenkins were joined by John Yapp and Robin Sowden-Taylor as Wales triumphently won this years 6 Nations, helping themselves to a Grand Slam on the way. Also gaining first caps were Chris Czekaj and Thomas Rhys.
But the winner of cardiff Blues best International player goes to the RBS 6 Nations man of the tournement,
Martyn Williams
Best Youngster
This award is for the best player 23 years old and younger. Last years winner John Yapp, has since gained his first Welsh cap and a 6 Nations trophy, so this years winner will be looking to follow in his footsteps. Noteable youngsters have included Yapp 22, Rhys Thomas 23, Nick Macleod 22 and Lee Thomas 21 with 19 year old Chris Czekaj making 2 Blues starts at the end of the season, and getting a Wales cap and debut try.
But the award goes to a 22 year old who has broken into the Blues starting line-up, and gained international regonition with Wales during this seasons grand slam and also on this years tour of Canada and America, the winner is
Robin Sowden-Taylor
Supporters Player of the year
Judged by the poll on ArmsPark.tk, the supports player of the year has been voted or by you. Below are the results -
| Dean Dewdney |  13% |
| Robin Sowden-Taylor | 14% |
| Tom Shanklin | 9% |
| Gethin Jenkins | 9% |
| Martyn Williams | 11% |
| Robert Sidoli | 9% |
| John Yapp | 7% |
| Rhys Williams | 9% |
| Rhys Thomas | 7% |
| Kort Schubert | 7% |
| Other | 5% |
So with 14% of the vote, your suppoprters Player of The Year goes to,
Robin Sowden-Taylor
ArmsPark.tk Player of the Year
This is the most coverted award of the season, given to the player who in my opinion has performed consistantly well and given 100% to the cause. When choosing this player, i looked at their performances with Cardiff, their attitude, how many games they played and also how they represnted the Blues at international level.
As ever, it was the usual suspects who seemed to be up for the award, but due notice has to be given to Craig Quinnell. CQ captained the side 4 times this year, successfully in 3 of the games. His commitment has been supurb making enormous strides forward from last season when he spent most of his time in the sin-bin or banned! But this season, Quinnell has been used as a great impact player and worked on his disapline and fitness.
But the winner has to be the man who really has been oustanding in every match for the Blues and Wales. His leadership has been cruical and helped us through a tough season and who many fans are excited about seing link up with Xavier Rush next season, the winner is of course, Nugget,
Martyn Williams