WITH their scheduled opponents in Welsh Cup action last weekend, Town faced a blank Saturday but still came out as winners.

That evening they travelled to Chepstow Leisure Centre for the inaugural Monmouthshire County Council Sports Awards evening which covered all aspects of sport and ranged across eleven categories.

Town, who had received seven nominations from their supporters, scooped the ‘Team of the Year’ award and received the inscribed glass trophy and certificate both now proudly displayed at Pen-y-Pound.

A club spokesman said, “We are very grateful to those who took the time and trouble to nominate us and of course to Monmouthshire County Council for introducing this initiative. The award reflects the outstanding season we enjoyed last year on the pitch, and also how Pen-y-Pound Stadium is being rejuvenated with help of volunteer support, and is now home to not only our Welsh League side, but also our Reserves, our U18 and U16 sides, and a thriving ladies/girls section.”

There were plenty of other local winners in the borough’s sporting gala for high achievers hosted by Scrum V’s Ross Harries.

Monmouthshire Golf Club Junior Addie Francis won the Sportswoman of the Year Award.

Sportsman of the year went to Llanarth’s Ben Hopkins, who has won five world Mounted Games titles.

Usk Cricket Club’s Kay Peacock scooped the Volunteer of the Year Award, and for serving Mardy FC tirelessly for 50 years, Malcolm ‘Macky’ Skinner was given a lifetime achievement award to add to his growing cabinet of honours.

Macky told the Chronicle, “I’m getting pretty sick of all these awards now. It’s getting rather tiresome. Only joking, it’s always nice to be recognised for the work you do and it’s much appreciated.”

Abergavenny Hockey Coach Nick Fackrell won the Community Coach of the Year Award, and last but not least Bill Owen was the winner of the outstanding contribution to sport in Monmouthshire

Owen explained, “I am very honoured to receive the award. I wasn’t expecting it - it was completely out of the blue.”