PLAYERS and officials who have made significant contributions on and off the pitch were recognised at Basingstoke's annual dinner.

Members of the first team, academy, Sirens, sponsors and guests attended last Friday's function at Down Grange.

Presided over by chairman Dr Steve Tristram, there were speeches from first-team captain Kelvin Chapman and Gazette Newspapers editor Mark Jones.

Chapman presented various senior team awards. Victoria Calder accepted the leading points scorer and try scorer trophies on behalf of her absent husband Ian, the club's outgoing director of rugby.

Steve Hobden was the best trainer; Matt Evans the player of the season and Neil Barton the most improved player, while Simon Buckland was the man of steel winner.

Yann Cullum and Simon Appleby received blazer badges after passing 40 first-team games, while Steve Buttle picked up a special trophy to commemorate his outstanding service to the club now he is retiring at the age of 43.

At the conclusion of his speech, Mark Jones presented Buckland with The Gazette player of the season 2003-2004 award, voted by readers.

Simon Crew, the academy captain, has recently been taken on the books at Leicester Tigers and the news was made public by Dr Tristram as academy coach and new senior team coach Jim Dixon presented a trophy marking Crew's achievement.

Other academy players to be recognised were Tom Northcote and Simon Humberstone.

Ex-captain and current chairman of playing John Byett was made an honorary life member, only the fifth person in the club's history to be given such status.

Cavaliers Arthur Hardy and Roger Parsons were given tankards in recognition of their efforts.

The Sirens women's team player of the season was Fay Pearson. She was also forward of the year on her birthday.

Newcomer of the year was Claire Rimmer and back of the year was Angela Squires.

Captain Geinor Howell made a special award to outgoing coach Trevor Swain for the time he has spent training and helping the ladies team over the past few years.

Howell said: "All of us would like to thank Trevor for his commitment because without him we wouldn't have a team."