Charlie gets the fans' vote

In recent years, McGowan has taken Worthing's second-row rugby to a higher level, by more than one rung, and it is hoped he will prove the inspiration and mentor to a new generation of Worthing locks in this vital posession-securing area of the game.

Worthing have only one regret and that is that his brother, Ben, has for two years been forced by a shoulder injury out of their potentially title-winning partnership in the first-choice front five. It was in the promotion play-off against Bridgwater & Albion that Ben McGowan last showed what a Worthing side could achieve with both brothers at Nos 4 and 5. He left the game injured and Worthing's hold on the game deteriorated into last-gasp defeat.

There were two Player's Player of the Year awards. The 1st XV one went to scrum-half from Nelson, New Zealand, Todd Murphy, and skipper Mike Kimmer received that for the 2nd XV.

Fellow Nelson native, Duncan Taylor, was specially mentioned as joint top try scorer in London 1 this season. The thre-quarter or full-back scored 18 to tie with Ealing's centre Kene Ejikeme, who touched down Ealing's first try in their promotion showdown match in March.

Worthing's No 8, Anthony Pearse, was third with 16 while Ealing had five try scorers in the London 1 top 10.

Goal kicker Ben Coulson (185) was second leading points scorer behind Ealing's Ben Ward (275). Coulson converted 40 to Ward's 66, kicked 20 penalties to Ward's 24, scored nine tries to Ward's 13, and Ward landed two drop-goals. Four other London 1 players kicked more points than Coulson, although scored fewer than his 10 tries.

Old Patesians and Chinnor have finished as the bottom two in National League Three South, above Worthing's London 1. Southend and Westcombe Park were the top two, with Havant third.