At a glittering ceremony in Cineworld, Cardiff, Blues winger Alex Cuthbert crowned a great season being named the Cardiff Blues Player of the Year award sponsored by EADS
Cuthbert had an impressive season for the Blues scoring eight tries in total including a hat-trick against Sale Sharks away in the opening round of the Heineken Cup, as well as touching down against Toulon and Montpellier in the same competition
The former Hartpury College student, who signed a new contract with the Blues in December 2012 was obviously delighted with his award. Cuthbert said,
“I am very surprised to win the award but really pleased. It’s a real honour.
“I thought any of the other boys nominated deserved to have won it but I appreciate the support from all the fans over the year.
“We haven't quite had the year we had wanted but I know we have room to improve and I am looking forward to the season ahead which I feel very confident about.
“We have had some really good younger players come through this year, such as Owen Williams and Rhys Patchell.
“There are not many teams in Europe who can say that the average age of their players is 23!
“I know we are going to continue to improve and in the next couple of years I know we will be in the Heineken Cup quarter and semi-finals, while also pushing for the top four in the Rabo as well.
“I haven't really been thinking about the Lions announcement coming up. We will just have to wait and see what happens, hopefully there will be a few Blues boys involved!
“Fingers crossed but we will just have to see what happens.”
The evening, which was sponsored by My Pension Reviewer, kicked off with a drinks reception before guests entered the auditorium for the Cassidian Community Awards.
Lucy Owen was the glamorous host of the evening with the Academy Player of the Year award sponsored by Brewin Dolphin, next up.
Promising youngsters Aled Summerhill, Ellis Jenkins, Brad Thyer and Ethan Lewis were all short-listed with Wales Under-20s captain Ellis Jenkins picking up the prize.
The following category was the Most Promising Player of the Year sponsored by TWL.
Lewis Jones, Owen Williams, Rhys Patchell and Rory Watts-Jones were all nominated and it was Patchell who collected the prize following an impressive season that saw him play 21 matches and scoring 139 points in his first season of professional rugby.
The Players' Player of the Year award, sponsored by DS Smith Recycling, was chosen by the Cardiff Blues squad. Robin Copeland, James Down, Josh Navidi and Rhys Patchell were all on the shortlist.
The award went to Josh Navidi with his impressive performances obviously getting recognition from not only Blues supporters but now his team mates. It’s been a fantastic season for the Vale of Glamorgan product who was called up to the Wales squad for this year’s Six Nations campaign.
The final category was the newly named Peter Thomas Cardiff Blues Player of the Year Award sponsored by EADS, in recognition of the Cardiff Blues Chairman’s contribution to the Cardiff Blues over the past 10 years.
Cuthbert fought off stiff competition from Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Patchell and Josh Navidi for the prize to end a great night and a wonderful season for the flying winger.