My XV of the finest around
May 10 2006
Rugby Correspondent Brian Dick prepares to upset some and delight others with his top team...
Time to book my turn in the stocks again; there are still some players in the Midlands who are refusing to speak to me for not picking them 12 months ago.
As in previous years, the 2005-06 Midlands XV does not suggest that Player A is better than Player B, but is merely a reflection on the individuals who have impressed me at some stage throughout the last eight months.
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And once more I have confined myself to the region's National League teams and tried to name at least one player from Pertemps Bees, Moseley, Coventry and Stourbridge.
This season's selection process was a lot more difficult than in recent years, with some positions stacked with strong performances but others only throwing up as little as two, or perhaps only one, standout.
For example, the region has been abundant with decent No 8s. James Rodwell made the cut, but Jim Jenner has been superhuman at the back of the Pertemps Bees scrum and Tom Johnson made a big impression at Coventry.
Conversely, the choice at fly-half was very difficult. Ollie Thomas gets the nod, largely because of his displays with the boot and his apparent return to form in the County Championship with North Midlands.
Until recently, Stourbridge have had to sell their souls to the devil just to find a standoff while Coventry's Jon Higgins and Bees' Tim Walsh will hope that next season is rather more kind to them.
Moseley's renaissance has been recognised with six selections, as opposed to two last season, while Coventry's inconsistency in 2005-06 has seen their quota cut from seven to three.
Once more, Bees have endured a difficult season but have maintained their contribution of four players.
So, with apologies to the region's rugby players, their families and pets and anyone else otherwise offended, here goes . . .
15 Apoua Stewart (Coventry)
His half-season at Butts Park will go down as one of the brightest points of a difficult campaign for Coventry.
The New Zealander's pace, angles of running and eye for a counter-attack made him the class act of their backline and, after a dip midway through his stay, he returned to form towards the end. A 'must keep' for next year.
14 Nathan Bressington (Moseley)
Twenty league tries set a club record and although he has found himself marked out of some games, he has taken his chances well.
Two hat-tricks in the same season, including four at Harrogate, is a magnificent achievement and a sign that the pacy wing is ready to make his mark on National One.
13 Adam Billig (Pertemps Bees) Perhaps the biggest compliment paid to Billig is that the departed Shaun Woof was not missed. A natural outside centre, Billig could be relied on to make breaks but played his part without the ball. His retention for next season is a massive boost.
12 Simon Martin (Pertemps Bees) Despite his small stature, Martin is the defensive rock of Bees' three-quarters. A near-reckless disregard for his own safety makes him the midfield defender in the region.
With ball in hand, he is a decent runner but what sets him apart is his willingness to sacrifice himself for the greater good. Bees need Martin to be fit and functioning next year.
11 James Moore (Coventry)
The other bright spark in the Coventry backs, Moore's value is doubled by his 80 per cent accuracy as a kicker.
He has enough pace to play on the wing but is probably good enough a footballer to move inside. The division's leading points-scorer has, sadly, agreed a move to Cornish Pirates.
10 Ollie Thomas (Moseley)
The elegant fly-half has not been the free-running influence he was last season yet his potential and the value of his place-kicking gets him into the side.
Thomas has a lot to learn, but the way he pulled Moseley out of the fire against Henley and Halifax demonstrated his mental strength in front of the posts. Faces stacked midfields of the First Division next season.
9 Soane Havea (Stourbridge) Apologies to Gareth Taylor, who has led Moseley superbly, but the late introduction of Havea was a massive factor in Stourbridge's late renaissance. The Tonga international has a bullet pass, tackles well and has a real on-field presence. He also has the competitive spirit to play injured. One to watch for 2006-07.
1 Jason Hobson (Pertemps Bees)
Not strictly a loosehead but too combative to leave out, Hobson, who came on loan from Bristol, demonstrated his intensity by starting several fights within minutes of meeting new team-mates.
A sound scrummager, he plays with much more presence than your average 23-year-old. Next season will be make-or-break, though, for a prop who has had more than his fare share of injury problems. He could be back.
2 Alan Keylock (Stourbridge)
Dean Bick will wonder how 14 tries do not get him into the side but Keylock could be an awesome prospect, having joined Stourbridge from the Worcester academy.
The youngster has agreed to stay next season and will be the keystone around which the pack is built. Another one for the future.
3 Peter Bucknall (Coventry)
Has had his ups-and-downs in his first year at Butts Park but made sufficient progress to be the first man signed up by Mike Umaga.
The way he destroyed Otley's Justin Wring in their two encounters suggests Bucknall could become one of the top tightheads in National One, if not at a higher level.
4 Richard Stott (Moseley)
Has reigned supreme in the battle for the skies in National Two and was rewarded with an England Counties call-up and selection for British Police. A solid performer when Moseley were last in the First Division and will need to remain team leader.
5 Dai Hallmen (Moseley)
Unsung hero of the Moseley pack, his sustained presence through was probably the biggest factor in the transformation of the front five from tried to tried-and-tested.
Hallmen has a physical edge to his game that his team-mates responded to. The only downside was a knee injury in the run-in.
6 Neil Mason (Moseley)
Played at openside for Moseley but, by his own admission, is more likely to line up on the blindside in National One. Rightfully voted Player of the Year by the club after devastating back-row performances with the ball and without. Probably the best player in the league in 2005-06.
7 Cae Trayhern (Pertemps Bees) Trayhern, like Mason in National Two, has been the outstanding openside in National One and was an unqualified success in his first year at Sharmans Cross. A devastating runner, the Welshman has made more hard yards than anyone for Bees and the deal that keeps him there is the best work of the summer. Trayhern's future surely lies in the Premiership or Celtic League.
8 James Rodwell (Moseley)
The strongest position in the area. Rodwell edges out Coventry's Tom Johnson and Bees' Jim Jenner, who have had consistent campaigns, on account of the energy he has brought to the Moseley back row. Has searing pace and his picks from base of scrum have been devastating. If he doesn't score himself, he creates space for others. A young man with a very bright future.
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