OUTGOING skipper Stephen Depledge picked up two of the main awards at Otley Rugby Union Football Club's annual dinner, which was held in the clubhouse.

The scrum half, who has spent six of the past seven seasons at Cross Green, won both the players' player of the year and supporters' player of the year.

Hooker Will Rigg was named as young player of the year, while full back or centre Henry Roberts won the most improved player award.

Forwards' coach Mark Luffman called Depledge "a major fulcrum of what has happened at Otley RUFC," while he said that Rigg "had been around the club for a number of years, had suffered with injuries but had done well in difficult circumstances in the front row".

As for most improved player Roberts, Luffman said: "There were a couple of players who have improved markedly over the season and there were some fantastic performances by the boys, although we have lacked a bit of consistency.

"However, winner Henry Roberts has constantly been a threat with ball in hand in a number of different positions."

As for Depledge, Luffman remembered: "He joined us at one of the most difficult times in recent years when we needed to put a team together, but he was one of the first players to put his hand up.

"There wasn't going to be a huge amount of money for him, but he was the kind of player that we built the club around and he is a player that I have a huge amount of admiration for."

Depledge, who is being replaced as first-team captain by No 8 Freddie Watson, said: "I have had a great six years at the club and I wish them every success in the future.

"It is the start of a new dawn and hopefully we can finish higher up than we did last year and get a second team going."

Centre Michael Coady and flanker Matt Heaton played in all 30 of Otley's league matches.

Coady also played for Yorkshire, while winger Sam Melville represented Yorkshire Under-20s.

Clubman of the year was Zebras treasurer Charlie Bowling, with interim club chairman Nick Girling saying: "He helped to remove asbestos from the roof of the old Scrattin' Shed and was also instrumental in the erection of the £50,000 floodlights at Pool Road."

The most deserved award, however, came from president David Somers to Jamie 'Skip' Chappell in recognition of his 25 years as captain of Otley Viscounts.

Somers said: "That is a great record and shows a level of commitment to the club that is above and beyond."

Chappell, who was quick to remind members that he had played eight games for the seconds in that time, added: "We have had five games in which the age of our pack added together has been over 350 years, with an average age of 46.8."

* Otley have already arranged two pre-season friendlies, travelling to National League Three North Billingham on Saturday, August 27 (3pm) and hosting Kirkby Lonsdale the previous Saturday.