THE BEST XV FROM THE 2022-23 SEASON
Ben Jaycock canvassed the views of our National Two East reporters to compile The Rugby Paper's 2022-23 Team of the Season
Runaway champions Blackheath were a class above the rest in National Two East and therefore represent a third of this new look team that features brand new players for each position. James Shanahan's side possessed a beefy pack that dominated their counterparts therefore it comes to no surprise that half of the Dream Team pack are from the newly promoted side.
Second place Barnes, who beat Blackheath at the tail end of the season, secured a club record finish in second and are rewarded with three representatives.
Fourth place Worthing have two inclusions, while fellow top half sides Dorking, Old Albanians, Bury St Edmunds and Henley Hawks are represented.
Despite enduring a tough season down the bottom and narrowly avoiding relegation on the last day of the season, North Walsham are the only team in the bottom half to be included as their fly-half Matt Hodgson was instrumental in guiding them to safety.
Players from Tonbridge Juddians, Guernsey, Canterbury, Sevenoaks, Rochford Hundred and Westcliff failed to make the cut.
15. Alex Noot (Old Albanians)
A full back who is comfortable at 10, 13 or 15, possesses a great kicking game but is also devastating in open play with his pace and footwork. His exploits as a killer finisher are shown by his eight tries in 21 games this season. Noot secured himself a move to league champions Blackheath earlier this week and will relish the opportunity to test himself in National One. Noot was pushed hard by Bury St Edmunds' Charlie Reed who showcased his deadeye kicking skills and potent counter attacking ability.
14. Tobermory McRae (Dorking)
A winger who is strong, fast and a brilliant finisher shown by his stupendous try scoring record of a league-high 35 scores in just 22 games. McRae was pivotal in Dorking's impressive first season back in the National Leagues and looks a player destined for a higher level. Blackheath's Jake Lloyd provided a big physical presence on the wing and took his club tally to over 100 tries, while Barnes' Cam Roberts also pushed McRae close with his good work off the flank.
13. Jordan Souter (Barnes)
Ever present and ever reliable, Souter played 25 games this season and spent over 1,700 minutes on the pitch. The outside centre played a huge part in Barnes' highest ever finish in National Two and will look to spearhead their push to do one better next year and secure promotion. An honourable mention goes to Duncan Tout who shone with his physical play on both sides of the ball in what was a disappointing season for Tonbridge Juddians.
12. Markus Burcham (Blackheath)
Known as the best midfield player at National Two level, Burcham is a centre who is cool, calm but possesses a real fight that drove his club back up to National One at the first time of asking. The glue of the champions' backline, he's a solid player in both attack and defence. Worthing's Jack Forrest was also a standout with his hard running ability often too difficult for defenders to stop.
11. Curtis Barnes (Worthing)
A prolific try scorer shown by his tally of 29 tries in 24 games, Barnes sniffed out tries for Worthing week in week out. A winger who possesses blistering pace, Barnes was the beneficiary of a team that liked to play quickly and regularly shifted the ball out wide. Defences know that if you give Barnes a sniff, he'll hurt you. Bury St Edmunds' Will Affleck received plaudits for being an elusive and quick winger.
10. Matt Hodgson (North Walsham)
A fly-half who received the vast majority of the voting for the 10 jersey, Hodgson enjoyed a phenomenal season in a struggling team. He possesses vision, a big boot, silky hands and is watertight in defence and was the difference in steering North Walsham away from the drop, with many feeling that they'd have been relegated had it not been for Hodgson's influence at fly-half. Bury St Edmunds' Kodie Drury-Hawkins enjoyed a stellar campaign and was influential in their impressive second half of the season.
9. Josh Davies (Barnes)
Davies received 100 per cent of the voting for the scrum-half position and that comes as no surprise due to his excellent game management and electricity on the break. Barnes were the surprise package this season finishing second and much was down to their pack but they were led brilliantly by Davies, whose outstanding kicking game got the Barnes pack on the front foot.
1. Alex Wood (Barnes)
Veteran prop Wood came out of nowhere this season after a prolonged break due to a brain injury but showed his class in the Barnes pack. Wood played a pivotal role in Barnes' formidable scrum that went toe to toe with each side in the league, including champions Blackheath. He also showcased his durability playing in 19 games. Bury St Edmunds' Toby Hill was one of the best loose heads in the league and was extremely mobile around the pitch, as was dynamic ball carrier Archie Holland of Blackheath.
2. Ollie Walliker (Blackheath)
Experienced Walliker was consistently accurate at line outs with his throws and was a useful ball carrier in the loose. Walliker contributed six tries in 24 appearances and was part of a Blackheath front row that was instrumental in their title win. Barnes' Alex March was prolific on and off the ball, with a work rate to be admired and scored 13 tries, all in the second half of the season.
3. Andrew Boye (Blackheath)
Strong in the set piece and destructive around the field, Boye was the 80 minute man for Blackheath. Not many tighthead props can go the distance with the same intensity from the first minute to last but Boye is a player who's constantly powerful in the set piece and dynamic around the park. Bury St Edmunds' Ben Cooper was also a solid tighthead and a skilful ball distributor.
4. Robert Conquest (Bury St Edmunds) Conquest showcased all of his experience for Bury, dominating the lineout as well as showing his impressive mobility around the park for such a big man. Conquest made 25 appearances and chipped in with five tries. He was run close by the hard hitting, hard running James Bloxham of Barnes who was pivotal in their push up the league.
5. Tom Stradwick (Blackheath) A master lineout technician who possesses great power in the engine room, Stradwick was a key cog in Blackheath's title win operating in both the second row and also at blindside flanker. Stradwick made 20 appearances this season and showcased his potency in the red zone by scoring seven tries, including braces against North Walsham and Westcliff. Also of Blackheath, James Catt received votes for his great ball carrying and dominance at the breakdown.
6. Liam Perkins (Worthing) Perkins is always a hard competitor year-in year-out and will be a big miss to Worthing after his departure from the club was sealed earlier this week to Counties 1 Hampshire side Petersfield, where he is joining in a player-coach role. Perkins made 24 appearances this season, scoring three tries and played a key role in Worthing's impressive fourth-place finish. An honourable mention goes to Paul Schroter of Blackheath who's a devastating, powerful runner with ball in hand but had his season cut short through injury.
7. Tom Vooght (Henley Hawks) Vooght's breakdown skills are some of the best in the league and were on full display alongside his powerful carrying game. A great footballer, who isn't afraid to use his feet Vooght made 20 appearances this season scoring four tries. Matt Bursey also enjoyed a stellar campaign with his aggressiveness on both sides of the ball and was the main reason behind Bury St Edmunds' season revival in the second half of their campaign.
8. Tom Baldwin (Blackheath) A dynamic No.8 in his carrying and a forward who dominate line outs, Baldwin was a standout player for champions Blackheath, winning the club's players and coaches player of the year awards. He is an aggressive ball carrier who has an excellent gain line success rate. As expected, Baldwin dominated the voting but an honourable mention goes to Dorking's Finn Osborne who was also destructive from the back of the scrum.
