By Darraghgirl
July 18 2014

So here it is, the first results of our End of Season Poll. Many thanks to everyone who voted. Part 2 to follow next week.

1. Saracens player of the Year:

   Several suggestions here. There was support for Chris Ashton, Chris Wyles, Steve Borthwick and Billy Vunipola, all of whom had excellent seasons but it came down to a choice between Alex Goode and Jacques Burger. Alex “Got better and better as the season went on” Jacques “Put his body on the line every week”. The votes were equal so I gave myself the casting vote and the award goes to ALEX GOODE

2. Saracens Young Player of the Year:

   There was support for a lot of talented young players. Ben Ransom (looks premiership standard already) Richard Barrington (made himself at home in the Premiership), 19 year old centre Nick Tompkins, Electric winger Nathan Earle, loose forward Jackson Wray and Billy Vunipola (awesome against Ulster). But the overwhelming winner was Captain of England’s Junior World Cup winning side MARO ITOJE

3. Saracens old player of the year:

   Justin Melck, Ernst Joubert and Neil de Kock all got honourable mention but there could only be one winner, “Our best ever captain”, “Retired too early!” Captain Fantastic STEVE BORTHWICK.

4. Aviva Premiership Player of the Year (non Sarries);

   Lots of suggestions and any one of them a worthy winner. Sale Sharks Michael Paterson had an excellent season as did his team mate Danny Cipriani who deservedly won a recall to the England team. Bath fly half George Ford earned a nomination along with Saint’s Alex Waller (mainly for his Premiership-winning try) and Wasp’s Joe Launchbury. Saint’s Samu Manoa was another deserved nominee along with Quin’s Danny Care (don’t know why the nomination should be accompanied by an apology, I thought he had an excellent season) and team mate Mike Brown. But the winner, who also earned a belated call-up to the England team in New Zealand and will be a great loss to the premiership next season, was Worcester Warriors full back CHRIS PENNELL

5. International Player of the Year (playing outside the premiership)

   Again lots of interesting suggestions. Jonny Wilkinson, of course, in his final season, along with teammate Steffon Armitage. The “vastly improved” Cian Healey or aussie rules/league/union player Israel Folau. The under rated Jimmy Gopperth (239 points in his first season for Leinster) or Kieran Read (sheer class). But again there was a tie at the top between New Zealand winger Julian Savea and Springbok Fullback Willie Le Roux. So again the casting vote is mine. Tough one this but following his hat trick try-scoring performance in the final Test against England this summer, the winner is JULIAN SAVEA

6. Favourite Saracens Player:-

   This was one for the “B’s” with the notable exception of Alex Goode. Jacques Burger and Steve Borthwick attracted plenty of support but in the end it was a 3 way tie between Billy Vunipola, Schalk Brits and Marcell Bosch. Brits, the smiling gentleman who has finally won a coveted Springbok’s shirt, Billy Vunipola, amazingly talented and all heart but the award goes to the man with the booming boot MARCELO BOSCH.

7. Best performance by an Opposition Player against Saracens:-

   Opposition performances in the 2 Finals we played in featured highly in this one. Northampton Saint’s players George Pisi, Courtney Lawes (his arms smothered us and our chances in the Premiership Final), Samu Manoa and Stephen Myler all attracted support as did Toulon’s Juan Smith and Matt Giteau (sublime skill set on show in Cardiff) along with Toulouse’s Louis Picamoles. But the clear winner was a former Saracen now playing in France, Toulon’s STEFFON ARMITAGE

8. The Albanese Award for the Worst Performance by an Opposition Player against Saracens:-

   One vote for Austin Healey and another for the Leicester Tigers “Brazil-depth” performance against us at Allianz. Joel Hodgson was nominated for his lack of respect followed by a 41-8 drubbing along with Connacht’s Nathan White for his footwork on Brad Barritt. (Slightly odd that no one mentioned Jared Payne and his early red card for a dangerous challenge on Alex Goode at Ravenhill). There were a couple of votes for Freddie Burns, with his mind clearly on joining Leicester but there could only be one winnerofo this award which goes, “by a country mile” overwhelmingly and unreservedly to TMO GRAHAM HUGHES

9. The Martin Johnson Memorial Least Favourite Opposition Player Award:-

   Strange how many of the nominees play just up the M1! George North, Ben Foden, Calum Clarke & Courtney Laws received lots of nominations. There was support for Brian Habana and his disgraceful football-style dive and for Mike Brown (described as amazingly malevolent for a girlie back) and Nick Easter of Quins. And of course Steffon Armitage (who has undoubtedly had more nominations in more categories than anyone else!) There was even a vote for Jim Hamilton (until he joined Saracens). But the title is retained for yet another year by DYLAN HARTLEY

10. Player you would most like to join Saracens next season:-

    What an array of talent! Of course Steffon Armitage got a mention (at least once by someone who nominated him for the previous award as well!) along with young fly half Henry Slade, Julian Savea and Willie Le Roux. Perhaps in anticipation of Borthwick’s retirement, Locks were very popular including some stellar names like Danie Roussow and Eben Etzebeth but the winner is a Lock forward from much closer to home. The Player you would most like to see in Saracens’ colours is JOE LAUNCHBURY.