First team player Robert Harley, who has only just turned 18, was awarded the Scottish Under-18 Player of the Year Award. And the club's 2nd team were named Team of the Year after being promoted as champions to the first division.

Robert is already a formidable figure in West's 1st XV's squad, where he has played for the last two season.

The Douglas Academy student, from Craigton Road, Milngavie, is 6ft 5½in tall and weighs in at just over 16 stone.

Robert was presented with his glass trophy for his outstanding contribution made to the sport at youth level.

He said: "It was nice to win this award, but my main goal last season was to play well for West. That's not to say I'm not delighted to receive this award."

The young rugby player started playing rugby at nine and worked his way up through the various youth sections at West. For the last two years he has been a member of the Institute of Sport and played at both under 17 and under 18 for Scotland.

The highlight this year he says was beating Ireland on home soil in March in the Under-18 Six Nations Tournament.

But he added: "It was also good beating England last April when I was in the Under-17 team competing at the Millfield Tournament in England. They play a very hard fast game."

The event also attracted teams from Wales and France. However disaster struck when, in the last game against Wales, Robert broke his ankle playing in the number five position.

He said: "I had to have a screw put in it for 12 weeks and only started playing competitively again last October."

Robert's long term plan is hopefully to play for his country one day, but because of the accident, is keenly aware of the fickle nature of the game and is going to study law at Glasgow University this year.

West president Gordon Cairns said: "Robert is one to watch for the future. He is very powerful and a good all round player. We are lucky to have him on the team and he has shown great commitment to come back after such a severe ankle break."

At the awards ceremony, the report on Robert said he had been one of the most influential players in the Under-18 six nations tournament.

It stated: "He started and finished in every game of the campaign and has shown excellent leadership and communication skills throughout. His tackle success rate of 94 per cent underlines his contribution on the field."

The latest success follows West's end-of-season joy when they clinched the SHE Premier Division 2 title to go up to the Premier league as champions.

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