Season ends on a high for Parker

Despite the huge disappointment of the Premiership campaign being curtailed, the season has ended on a real high for one Pontypridd player, lock Kristian Parker having been nominated for no fewer than three club awards.

The hard grafting back five forward was voted as Player of the Season by both the Ponty supporters and players and then as Forward of the Year by award sponsors the GMB Union.

In consistently putting his body on the line in the eighteen starts that he made for Ponty during the season, more than any other squad member, Parker had earned his accolades the hard way, leaving him to reflect on a successful debut campaign with the club.

“My first season with Ponty couldn’t have gone better” said Parker.”I was made very welcome by all the players and coaches. From a purely personal point of view it all went well, to stay fit and play so many games. From a collective point of view, maybe not so successful as we failed to challenge for honours in the league and were knocked out of the cup so early.”

Receiving three separate Player of the Year awards came as a bonus for Parker, with each bearing a special significance.

“I was surprised to receive the Supporters’ Player of the Season award – you tend to think the fans appreciate the showmen in the squad, the try scorers, but its good to know that they can also appreciate a bit of a dog like me who puts in the hard graft up front!

“Winning the Players’ Player of the Season was a totally different prospect and again a big surprise. I tend to be seen as a bit of a joker in the pack in the changing room but again its good to know that I’m appreciated for what I put in week in week out on the pitch.”

The aim for Kristian Parker will be to pick up where he left off when rugby eventually resumes, having committed his future to Pontypridd.

“There is a strong camaraderie within the squad and we aim to pull together to win some silverware when we get going again. It was an easy decision for me to stay on at Ponty.

“Of course the future is uncertain until we come out of this crisis. We are all going through a difficult time – I would like to thank the supporters for giving us such a great backing again this season home and away and for nominating me for the awards.

“I just hope everyone can stay safe and well especially so the front line workers in the NHS who we all appreciate.”