Fijian import Semisi Tora was announced as the Astley’s Plumbing and Hardware Group 11 best and fairest player for 2008 on Saturday after a successful year with the Parkes Spacemen.
The second rower was the clear winner of the Group 11 Referees Medal, finishing five points ahead of second-placed Steve Lyons from Cobar.
Semisi wasn’t at Apex Oval on Saturday to receive the award, but Graham Cole from the Parkes club was there to accept it on his behalf.
Cole said Semisi had been an integral part of the Spacemen’s first grade side this season. Parkes made it through to the final only to be beaten by Cobar in a thrilling elimination semi-final.
“Semisi is a very humble man and I’m sure he would be very proud and honoured to receive this award,” Cole said.
“Semisi and the other three Fijians in our side have been magnificent for us, they’re very involved in the community with the schools and aged-care homes, and on the field their experience brought a lot to our team.
“We are over the moon for Semisi, it is very well deserved.”
As well as making his debut in Group 11 this year, Semisi was also selected to play for Group 11 in the Country Rugby League series.
Cole said Semisi was currently back in Fiji trying out for the World Cup squad.
“Semisi felt very honoured to make a representative team this year and we wish him all the best with the selections in Fiji,” Cole said.
Semisi polled 23 points in the best and fairest competition and finished ahead of Steve Lyons (Cobar) 18; Shawn Townsend (Dubbo CYMS) and Peter Ford (Cobar) 14; Luke Jenkins (CYMS) 11; Peter Boon (Macquarie) 10; Craig Roworth and Zac Rennick (Dubbo Macquarie), Mick Louie (Wellington), Mick Ryan (Wellington) 8; and Warren Wilson (CYMS) 7.
Some 69 first grade players received votes for the medal.
On hand to present the medal on Saturday at Apex Oval was Rick O’Dea from Astley’s Plumbing and Hardware, sponsors for the first time of the Group 11 Referees Association.
O’Dea is no stranger to rugby league and had a lot of success with Dubbo CYMS as a fullback in the 1970s.
Referees association president Troy Warner said he was appreciative of the support from Astley’s this year and promotion of the Referees Medal.
The end-of-season awards are always highly sought after by the players and 2008 was no different.
Among the highlights were the joint awards to Darren Jackson (Macquarie) and Steve Lyons (Cobar) for the 2DU/Regency Jewellers Player of the Year, and Macquarie’s Ash Conn’s efforts to win the Bob Weir Medal as player of the grand final.
In the under-18 competition, Max Ray (Dubbo CYMS) won the Dubbo RSL Under-18 Player of the Year prize, and Macquarie’s Anthony Egan-Smith was best player of the grand final.
Meanwhile in Dubbo, celebrations are continuing after Macquarie won first grade 14-6 over Dubbo CYMS, Raiders got up 12-10 over CYMS in the under-18s, and CYMS received the reserve grade premiership trophy after downing Nyngan Tigers 38-22.
Group 11’s first night grand final at Apex Oval created a gate of more than 26,000 - down on expectations but an excellent result considering the inclement weather from late in the afternoon.
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