Maitland has claimed a rare sporting double in 2015 with two players named best and fairest of their respective competitions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Maitland Blacks breakaway Nick Davidson and Maitland Rams midfielder Peter Urquhart received the prestigious awards in front of grand final crowds in Newcastle on Saturday.
Davidson won the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union’s Anderson Medal and Urquhart the Hunter Coast Premier Hockey League’s Kennedy Trophy.
They were shining lights in what has other wise been a dark season for Maitland’s major sporting teams.
Only the Rams made first grade semi-finals but they were knocked out in the first week while the Blacks missed the top five completely.
But the individual performances of these two players stood out above the rest this season despite their teams enduring tough campaigns.
For Davidson the reward comes after being close before in Anderson Medal counts, but this time the 26-year-old got across the line.
In the end Davidson polled 19 votes, finishing just one ahead of Merewether Carlton halfback Gareth Ernst after being a runaway eight-point leader when votes went in-camera after round 13.
Davidson becomes the first Maitland player to win the award since Adam Perkins collected his second in 2008 and becomes the sixth overall after Tim O’Toole (1985), Dave Bevan (1981), Ian Gollan (1972) and Peter Perkins (1969).
“He [Davidson] is what Maitland rugby is all about,” Blacks committee member Pat Howard said.
For Urquhart this accolade marks his third in six seasons after previous Kennedy Trophy wins in 2010 and 2012.
His first followed a breakthrough year for the Rams in claiming their maiden minor premiership in the top grade and the latest comes 12 months after making his Australian Hockey League debut with NSW.
The 27-year-old was also presented with the Newcastle representative player of the year award on Sunday following the competition decider.
“He’s a good player, a good bloke and deserves this type of recognition,” Rams teammate Nathan Baker said.
Both prizes were voted on a 3-2-1 point system lodged by referees and umpires at the end of each game.
Newcastle Rugby League’s player of the year went to Chris Adams of Lakes United while Bankstown’s Alex Opacic picked up Basketball NSW Waratah Championship League MVP
Northern NSW Football will hold their presentation night next month on October 16.
