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Next stop Emerson Valley for MK rugby club. Milton Keynes Rugby Club has been saying goodbye to its Field Lane ground with a few final matches over the last couple of weekends.
One of the club's last games to be played at Greenleys was the President's Cup tie, proceeded by the MK Vets invitation team playing Milton Keynes 3rds. Many former players turned out to play and although short of breath, they had not lost their skill levels, and although the 3rds put in a good show, the vets ran out comfortable winners.
The senior game of the day was the annual President's Cup fixture held in memory of Tony Matthews, the 23-year-old City player tragically killed in a car accident in 2004.
The two sides were chosen this year by coaches Mark Hopley and Paul Diggin, both Northampton Saints first team players, as they both played but were not allowed to score. The high scoring game was eventually declared a draw by the referee.
The dinner and awards night followed, with the major award, the 'Clubman of the Year' going to the club's accountant Graham Wellings. The first team Player of the Year prize went to captain Richard Hill. Other Awards include:
2nd TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2010 - ASHLEY TARGETT
3rd TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2010 - DAVID THOMAS
OVERSEAS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2010 - JUSTIN GWIN
VETS PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2010 - JAMIE BARNETT
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2010 - SCOTT ASPINALL
COACHES PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2010 - ASHLEY HILL
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2010 - SIMON KOCKELBERGH
SPECIAL AWARD 2010 - GARY SPINKS
IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE YEARS OF SUPPORT TO THE CLUB IN MANY WAYS. IN PARTICULAR OUR THANKS FOR ENSURING THE MOVE TO EMERSON VALLEY WAS SUCCESSFUL
The Saints duo then offered an hilarious insight into life as Guinness Premiership players!
Field Lane also played host to the 34th Milton Keynes Sevens tournament. The day was marred by the rain, but 14 teams braved the elements to play in groups and then in a knockout system. The final was between Kukri Spartans and Kamikaze and saw Spartans run out winners.
After the presentations and a well deserved break to dry off, the celebrations continued into the night as City said goodbye to Field Lane ahead of the move to Emerson Valley this summer.
The new facility at Emerson Valley is on target for completion by the end of July, although now the club has a mammoth task in getting the interior finished for the start of the new season that kicks off in early September.
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