Bermuda Police Rugby Football Club captain Darren Richardson and Renegades stalwart Laura Mulligan were named best male and female players at the Moongate Bermuda Rugby League end-of-season awards.

Richardson, an athletic prop, was honoured for leading the Police side to capturing the men’s league for the first time since 2014. The 42-year-old also played his part in keeping rugby alive by featuring for the other two teams in the league when Police had a bye.

“I’m honestly surprised, but very grateful to be named Men’s Rugby Player of the Year this season,” Richardson told The Royal Gazette.

“I’d like to thank my team-mates for doing most of the hard work and making me look good. There were plenty of bumps, bruises and questionable decisions along the way, but thankfully it all paid off.

“I’ll do my best to carry this form into the upcoming international games against Guyana and Cayman.”

Mulligan, who also played a part in helping Renegades win the Scully Cup, was pleased to be adjudged the best female player. Her team lost the league to Teachers by five points.

“I’m very happy and honoured to have this award,” she said.

“The last time I won an award was my very first season. I won Rookie of the Year, which was back in 2014. It took me 11 years to steal it from Jess Cassidy.

“It was a very tight season and we could have had the league. Teachers pipped us, but in previous years, there’s been a clear winner from early on. This season, it went right down to the last game.

“It’s really good for us to win the Scully Cup. I think our team deserved it because we’ve had a really good season.

“Every year, we get new players coming in, so winning these sorts of cups keeps them coming back every year.

“Even if Teachers had shown up, we probably would have won anyway. We’ve got a really strong team, a lot of girls that have been playing for multiple years and some new rookies.”

Mulligan has been playing for Renegades for over a decade, but never been voted the best player in the league.

“I’m a very proud Renegade,” the 39-year-old said.

“I’ve played for Renegades for maybe 11-12 years at this point. I’m surrounded by very good players, so they make me look good, not necessarily that I’m the best.

“I’m very fortunate to have played with very strong women from the very start. This season, in particular, with the new Bermudianas team, changed the dynamic.

“I’m not a spring chicken any more. Running against 15 and 16-year-olds is not ideal, but thankfully we’ve got smarts about us and experience, so that helps.”

Genesis Payne, from Teachers was awarded the Men’s Youth Player of the Year, while the women’s accolade went to Eira Wernbo, of Bermudianas.

Zaria Codrington, a young sprint athlete who took to rugby like a duck to water, was deemed the female rookie, with Oisin Morgan picking up the men’s award.

Jamie Furtado and Emily Sinclair picked up the fair play awards, while Jillian Brydon was presented with the spirit award.

Meanwhile, national coaches converted what should have been the Nichol Shield for the men into a training session.

Bermuda are gearing up for four matches, one this month and three in May. Brian Archibald’s side face Guyana away on April 25, before they come home for encounters with Cayman Islands (May 15), United States South (May 23) and Atlantic Privateers (May 30).