Last Saturday the BOP Mafia announced their annual awards at a very informal gathering of Mafia types at Fahys Motor Inn. As we are scattered far and wide, quite a few Mafia were travelling some way for the event so thank you to everyone who turned up and a special thanks to everyone who assisted in the organisation.

DonHoriBOP was the MC for the evening, and we are grateful to Colin Bourke and Charles Baxter for representing the players for the night.

Best Haircut of the Season.

Honourable mentions to Paul Tupai, Nili Latu  and Colin Bourke.
In 3rd place, and pushing close for 2^nd, Hori BOP.
2^nd was Apoua Stewart by a nose
And the winner, by virtue of not having a hair cut at all, Wayne Ormond. 

Most likely to become an All Black

Honourable mentions to Simms Davison, Ben Castle and Glen Jackson.
In 3^rd place, and if he hadn’t have picked up a serious injury maybe he would have been making his AB debut on the current tour, Kevin Senio.
2^nd and a man who has come a long way in 3 months, Colin Bourke
1^st again, voted MVP of the whole NPC and still no AB tour, Wayne Ormond.

Mafia Lifetime Award

In 2^nd place after reaching his 100 games with a Shield victory was Paul Tupai
Winner by a long way following his move to England, the great Glen Jackson

Tackle of the Season

There was a free vote, free meaning we didn’t give you a list to choose from.

Somebody nominated the anonymous supporter who brought down Mooloo the mascot, but obviously we can’t condone that sort of behaviour.
Just outside the top 3 was the last minute tackle on Tana by Colin Bourke assisted by half the team.
Equal on 2^nd was Wayne Ormond’s hit against Canterbury at BayPark that led to the intercept and Tahana’s try.
Also 2^nd was Anthony Tahana’s tackle on Rico Gear when the ex-Bay man tried to beat him on the outside.
Overwhelming winner was the Wayne Ormond lining up big Chris Jack in the first minute of the semi-final. Unfortunately that game was all downhill from there.

Try of the Season.

We gave a choice of 5 tries for the Try of the Season or you could nominate your own.

In joint 3^rd were Glen Jackson’s against Canterbury at BayPark after Colin Bourke’s fine run and pass along with Adrian Cashmore’s effort against Otago after Grant McQuoid had split them apart.
2^nd was Adrian Cashmore again, flying over the line after Rua Tipoki’s sleight of hand.
The winner by a large margin was Anthony Tahana’s slam dunk to win the Shield.

Rookie of the Season 

This was misinterpreted by some, by rookie we meant somebody in his debut season as a first teamer.

There were really only 2 players featuring in the voting.
In 2^nd, Ruki Tipuna impressed when forced into action following injury to Kevin Senio. Unfortunately he was then injured himself.
Winner by a huge margin and no surprise – Colin Bourke.

BoP Mafia Player of the Season.

Everyone voted for 5 players from 1^st to 5^th with 5 points for 1^st down to 1 for 5^th. 16 players received votes, in reverse order

16. Charles Hubbard – 3^rd choice half-back at the start of the season, 1^st choice by the end and set up the winning try against Harbour.
15. Ruki Tipuna – Great game in the unfortunate Shield loss to Canterbury
14. Bernie Upton – Received 1 vote for first place, strangely enough from someone with the surname Upton!
13. Simms Davison – Another solid season
12. Mark Sorensen – 2 votes for first place, sterling work again from him.
11. Kevin Senio – Was playing great rugby until injured, key man in the Shield win and defence. Rewarded with S12 contract at last.
10. Aleki Lutui – Solid as a rock.
9. Ben Castle – Free-running prop!
8. Anthony Tahana – Unlucky to miss out on S12, try-scoring machine and rock on defence
7. Colin Bourke – From almost his first run with the ball after coming on as sub against Auckland, he stood out. Hopefully he comes back from the Highlanders
6. Adrian Cashmore – Superb at fullback all year, he was missed when injured for the semi.
5. Grant McQuoid – Great at second-five forming lethal combo with Tipoki.
4. Nili Latu – This man is everywhere, plays above his weight.
3. Rua Tipoki – The other unlucky man to miss S12, hopefully he gets picked up by the Chiefs when Foodbill Ranby pulls out. Was on fire to win the Shield – “he’s cutting capers”.
2. Glen Jackson – A legend of the Bay, 4 seasons in Div 1 and a major reason why we stayed up in the first 2 years and then reached the semi this year. Best 1^st Five in the NPC yet again. A hard man to replace.
1. Wayne Ormond – What a man! Will he lead us against the Lions or be at the All Black trial the same weekend?