Finals Week 4. The awards night.

"Well I'll be buggered," the words of president Phil Payne certainly rang true, even if he was smiling when he said it. It was certainly the second best speech of the night, after the two time Jack Scott Medal winner from Singleton's prepared speech. In the second tie for the week, Tom Shannon, Dan Keival, and Moese M all took home the major award. Apparently, Shannon could have wrapped the award up for himself after the last round fixture after being best on the ground, however the referee in charge deemed he was not the fairest so was awarded no points.

Shannon probably deserved the medal outright and my sympathy goes out to him. Not only for the referee's inept decision at the end of the year, more because he is bald at such a young age. It was clear that his backside got all his hair when he proceeded to do naked push ups toward the end of the night in the starlight room. It has now been renamed to the Starfish room.

This also begs to ask the question, should the NHRU look at a different point scoring system, where they combine the referees points with opposition coaches or captains. Not taking anything away from the winners of the medal, but for two many years, teams from lower performing clubs have featured in the medal race at the end of the year. The trophy which awards the spread of medal points to the club with the highest amount was also drawn with Merewether and Wanderers. Jim Thiveos' cousin from Wanderers, dressed as a bus conductor was the highlight of my night.

Coach of the year, Blubba Coleman was graceful in accepting his "popularity award." Speaking to him, he was a little embarrassed and said in his own words that Aaron Thompson should have won the award. Maybe the referees should vote on this award instead as Coleman certainly wouldn't have won it for the second year in a row. Personally I would have like to have seen former NSW origin candidate Steve "the Swede" Dunstan take home the award. Just for the Bay to have such a high calibre coach on their side to guide them to last was a feat in itself.

Awards night's are usually pretty boring affairs, but general manager, Fenton' Couhl's speech certainly livened things up at the end. Thanking more people than Luke Kermode, Fenton's professionalism was on full show and he certainly wasn't "buggered" by any means. I would personally like to thank him for including me in the media which he thanked. Hopefully one day I can get a mug like Mike Rabbit, who is apparently also available for debutant balls and barmitsfa's.

Moving on to the business end of my column, I now present you with the first annual "Hornet Hive Achievement Awards."

The Luke Troy Self Improvement Award - Named after the king of self improvement this award is presented to Monty Simes. He wins the award after a nomination from his brother Dorian. Dorian tells me Monty wants to move out of the Wanderers club and play for either Merewether or Uni next year. For everyone this side of glebe rd, lets hope its uni. He is the standout candidate for self improvement, maybe he'll change that pompous name of his too.

The Tim Chidgy Level 2 coach of the year - Tim wanted to award this trophy to himself. The hornet had to remind him that he didn't actually have the qualifications to win the award. the award then went to Kurt Banks of Merewether's 5th grade. With probably the toughest job in getting a full team on the park each week, Banks has once again made the GF with his team of lower grade has beens. Its hard being at the bottom when 6 grades are on top.

The Newcastle Wildfires Team of the year - In a toss up between Southern Beaches, Wanderers and Merewether Carlton, Merewether win by a nose. Thus far they have won the big games, but have to prove it in the big one. Wanderers look like a team in turmoil at the moment, with no no. 10 to take them home. Southern Beaches will improve next year and make the semi finals. However, Merewether win hands down.

The Hornet Hive Player of the Year - This was taken from a poll of coaches who mattered at last nights medal night. Most coaches agreed Jay Strachan was the flashiest in the comp, Tom Shannon the most bald and versatile, and Dan Keival the most intimidating and stupid, however all agreed that,"that Merewether Breakaway" was easilly the most dominating in the competition. All coaches found him impossible to plot against and he has carried Merewethers chances through the second half of the season. Most said the biggest problem was they didn't know who he was. The former fullback who couldn't see, the man who can fix your irrigation as well as your breakdown is the inaugural winner of the Hornet hive player of the Year - Adam Princehorn.

Feel free to add awards or comments as to who you believe are the better players or teams. Yes, Merewether has dominated the first annual awards, but 6 grades gives them the kudos to do so.