Ashford president, Mick Lewis, was very impressed with the support shown for the club’s presentation night. 

“The night, in fact the season in general, has been very well supported,” Lewis said. 

“We didn’t win as many games as we would like but we were given a very tough job by the group in trying to field three teams in our first year. 

“Despite that, we’ve managed to fulfil all our commitments and not forfeit any games.

“It’s clear from the support on the that we have a future in the competition and next year we have to do whatever we can to improve our results.”

Lewis said the Roosters were in the process of improving their prospects for next season.

“We’ve already signed one player from the Illawarra Coal League for next year which is one of the toughest leagues in NSW,” Lewis said.

“We’re also in discussions with a couple of blokes from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast trying to bring in some more depth to the club.

“Obviously, we don’t have the money to throw around that some of the bigger clubs have, but the positive atmosphere is attracting a few people to the club.”

At the presentation night players were all vying for superbly produced local trophies supplied by North West Laser Cutters and Jason Luckett. 

The A grade awards were dominated by AFL convert Luke Selig, who took out the Referee’s Best and Fairest and Player’s Player despite an injury-punctuated season. Hard working A Grade captain Mat Lewis was rewarded for travelling 32,000 kilometres back and forth from Canberra to play, as he picked up the Club Best and Fairest and Player’s Clubman of the Year. 

In his first year of rugby league, centre Sam Hewat took out both the top try-scorer and point-scorer for the A Grade team. 

The Reserve Grade honours were dominated by two players: Ashford veteran forward Joel Bultitude winning both the Best and Fairest and Player’s Player; and John Krauss, who routinely played full games of reserves and firsts in the one day, taking out Highest Point Scorer and Referee’s Player of the Year. 

Lachlan McDonald was the Top Try-Scorer for reserve grade despite only playing four games before injury finished his year. 

The Ladies’ League Tag team were undoubtedly the greatest success for the Roosters this year and the awards were shared around in this grade. 

Young prospect Lena Smith won best and fairest. Armidale local and daughter of Ashford stalwart Derrick Clarke, Lawana Boney took out Player’s Player.

Ashford born and bred Anna Akhurst took out Referee’s Player of the year with fellow Ashford local Letitia Hartley winning Highest Point-Scorer. 

Highest try-scorer for the year in the League Tag was Brittany Walters. 

The non-playing Clubman of the year was shared between Bill and Peter Watts for their tireless work behind the scenes for the club.