Corkin: it's all a bit of a shock

DEREK FLYNN/Marlborough Express

CORKER EFFORT: Marlborough Express premier club rugby Player of the Year Nick Corkin, proudly displays the coveted silverware outside his clubhouse at Lansdowne Park yesterday.

Central utility back Nick Corkin is The Marlborough Express premier club rugby Player of the Year for 2010.

Corkin becomes the fourth player from the Central club, to win it, following in the footsteps of last year's winner, Quentin MacDonald, Onolevu Temo in 2002 and Jason Landon-Lane in the 1996 season.

Points are awarded by members of The Marlborough Express sports team or invited guests each week on a three, two, one basis and Corkin totalled 16, taking out three maximums, scoring points in eight matches overall. He just headed off Moutere and Tasman Makos hooker Vernon Fredericks by one point, Fredericks getting off to a flying start with maximum points in the first three matches. Close behind in equal third place on 14 points were Renwick utility forward Ryan McQuillan and Harlequins utility back George Millar.

Corkin was delighted and totally surprised to win the trophy. "I didn't follow the competition, and I certainly didn't expect this. I was a bit shellshocked. Pretty proud, especially with some of the names on the trophy."

Corkin has played a number of backline positions for Central and Marlborough but he prefers halfback and that is where he will be playing in tomorrow's grand final against Waitohi.

He is happy with his form this season and the former Marlborough Boys' College first XV player said he is both excited and a little nervous about tomorrow's grand final.

Corkin is the 20th winner of the cup, first presented in 1987 and won by Pelorus back Andy Billingsley.

Waitohi's Paul Karena and Pelorus loose-forward Cory Holdaway won it a record three times each.

Paul Karena's son Kenneth won the trophy in 2007.

A full list of past winners: 1987 Andy Billingsley (Pelorus), 1988 Paul Karena (Waitohi) and Mike O'Callaghan (Kaikoura), 1989 Paul Karena (Waitohi), 1990 Terry Patterson (Awatere), 1991 Paul Karena (Waitohi), 1992 John Rouse (Moutere), 1993 Jim Donald (Old Boys), 1994 Stu Mason (Waitohi), 1995 Cory Holdaway (Pelorus), 1996 Jason Landon-Lane (Central), 1997 Raymond MacDonald (Harlequins), Craig Wallace (Pelorus), 1998 (Mark Stewart (Pelorus), 1999 Gray Cornelius (Harlequins), 2000 Barry Ria (Pelorus), 2001 Stu Campbell (Moutere), 2002 Onolevu Temo (Central), 2003 Laurie McGlone (Moutere), 2004 Sam Howe (Waitohi), 2005 Cory Holdaway (Pelorus), 2006 Cory Holdaway (Pelorus), 2007 Kenneth Karena (Waitohi), 2008 Stu Campbell (Moutere), 2009 Quentin MacDonald (Central).

- The Marlborough Express