The big winner at the Southern Region Rugby Player of the Year awards was taken by surprise when he was told of two wins by telephone.
The awards were held at Simpson Park in Lawrence last Friday.
Clutha Rugby Football Club player Rhys Harrold secured the two top awards - the Southern region premier player of the year and the overall award for player of the year.
Clutha rugby coach Ben Keach accepted the award on Harrold's behalf as Harrold was in Christchurch playing for the Otago Country premier team.
Harrold said the win took him by surprise as there were ''plenty of other good players out there''.
His tip for success was to ''go out and be confident''.
A special administrator of the year award went to Francis Parker for his work promoting games on social media and writing match reports.
Jess Kendall was the women's player of the year and the first XV player of the year was Brady Robertson.
Representatives and supporters of the eight rugby clubs in the Southern region attended the event at which Highlanders player and former South Otago resident Matt Faddes was a special guest.
