Lockyer scoops top Premiership award again

PONTYPRIDD centre Dafydd Lockyer has clinched the prestigious Principality Premiership Player of the Year award for the second year in a row.

He saw off the other shortlisted nominees – Cross Keys flanker and captain Robert Nash and his team-mate hooker Gerwyn Price – to become the first player to win the award twice.

The 16 stone, 6’3” powerhouse played a pivotal role in Pontypridd’s title-winning season. His incisive running angles allowed him to power through the toughest of defences, scoring four league tries and setting up many more.

The 26-year-old centre from the Cynon Valley made 30 appearances for the Sardis Road club this season, including some outstanding performances in February to be awarded the Principality Premiership Player of the Month accolade.

He said: “I am surprised to win the award this season but delighted. Winning the Principality Premiership meant everything to us as a club this season, especially after losing out to Llanelli as we did last season.

“We said last year we would put that right and to win the Cup and League over a two year period is great. Our supporters have been terrific throughout and I dedicate this award to them.”

Llanelli full-back and centre Jordan Williams took the Best Newcomer accolade in what has been another outstanding season for youngsters bursting on to the scene in the Premiership.

Williams was among the likes of Harry Robinson and Luke Morgan to win a Principality Premiership Player of the Month award this season and with Robinson starting for Wales on Saturday and Morgan in South Africa with Wales Under-20s he is in good company.

The other shortlisted nominees were Llanelli and Wales Under-20s flanker Daniel Thomas and Carmarthen Quins and Wales Under-20s prop Robert Evans. The title has been won in the past by names such as Ospreys, Wales and Lions lock Alun-Wyn Jones, Cardiff Blues wing Tom James and Ospreys outside-half Mathew Morgan, who was awarded it last year.

The Coach of the Year award went to Cross Keys’ Greg Woods ahead of fellow nominees Dale McIntosh of Pontypridd, who won it last year, and Llandovery’s Lyndon Lewis. Woods’ side overcame Pontypridd to win the SWALEC Cup final and reached the British & Irish Cup final after a particularly impressive win in the semis over the Cornish Pirates.

Their SWALEC Cup win brought them their first piece of silverware in the club’s 127-year history.

Other awards included the Unsung Hero gong for services to rugby which went to Richard Evans of Pontypridd for his longstanding commitment as the club’s statistician, while the Principality Premiership Referee of the Year went to Ian Davies, presented by Graeme Yorston, Chief Operating Officer of the Principality.

The Premiership’s top try scorer was Bridgend wing wizard Luke Morgan with top points scorer Jamie Davies of Aberavon. A special award was given to Aberavon’s Richard Morris to recognise his achievement in making over 500 appearances for the Talbot Athletic Ground club.

WRU Head of Rugby Joe Lydon said: “The Principality Premiership continues to produce not only future professional rugby players but coaches and referees of calibre too.  It is a level of our rugby pathway that we are very proud of and are working hard, together with the clubs and all those involved to ensure it continues to grow year on year.”