22-05-2025
East Kilbride Rugby Club coach praises 'outstanding' star as he scoops two awards
Loose-head prop Alistair Marriott won big at the club's annual awards
East Kilbride Rugby Club head coach Franklin Clark heaped praise on player of the year Alistair Marriott after the loose-head prop claimed two prizes at their annual awards night.
Marriott won Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year in a season where the club reached the National Shield final and finished fifth in West Region One.
Clark said: 'Ally has been absolutely outstanding in just about every game he has played. Everything you would want out of a guy as a rugby player, he brings it.
"He does everything he is asked to do, he carries hard, he tackles hard and encourages all the other players.
'He is a model team-mate and player, so he thoroughly deserves both of his awards.'
There were plenty of other awards handed out on the night, as scrum half Justin Ludick won Young Player of the Year after a fine first season since moving from South Africa to study.
Clark said: 'Justin has had a great season. He is only a young kid who has come to Scotland this past year to study. He has fitted in really well and become an integral part of the team, so he has been really good.
'It has got to have been difficult for him, coming to a different country and trying to fit into a new team when he doesn't know anybody.
'He says he will stick around next season after he goes back home in the summer to see his family.'
Most Improved Player went to Craig McKenzie and Clark said: 'Craig has just done everything asked of him. He is quite a good organiser in defence.'
There was a joint award in the category of Top Try Scorer with Evan Martin and Ross McKeown sharing the prize, while Rory Blackwood won the Top Points award.
Clark said: 'Both Evan and Ross have had great seasons. Evan probably would have scored more tries but he got injured. He got injured in the Shield semi-final and missed the final.
"He only came back in our last game and he was determined to get two tries to finish top scorer, but he only managed the one.
'Ross has been immense. I think he has scored a try in just about every game he has played this season. He is full of heart and running, a great ball carrier, and just what we were needing this season.'
Meanwhile, it was announced that Mark Ellison has decided to hang up his boots after 15 years and 200 appearances with the club, which included winning promotion to National League Three and captaining the side to their 2019 West Shield victory.
He was presented with a special 200th cap to make the milestone and it was presented by Robert MacKinnon, who has been made honorary vice president for life following 23 years of service.
