Tom Rees with the senior men's award

TOM Rees said that winning the senior men's title was a nice way to cap off a memorable 2007.

The Wasps and England rugby star, who is a former Basingstoke RFC colt, made his international debut during last year's Six Nations tournament, coming on as a replacement against Scotland and being named as man-of-the-match against France - the game that marked his first start.

The openside flanker then won the Heineken Cup with Wasps before going to the World Cup with England.

He scored his first international try in the win over the United States before picking up an injury that cost him his place in the side and meant he had to watch from the sidelines as his team-mates reached the final.

"My sporting career started in Basingstoke so it is nice to get this pat on the back from the town," said Rees after receiving his award.

"It's a good way to cap off the year."

Rees, 23, is currently recovering from a knee injury, but is looking forward to pushing for honours with Wasps towards the end of the season.

Boxer Dean Francis, who captured the IBO Intercontinental and Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight crowns in 2007, came second, while powerlifter George Carter, a world championship gold medallist, was third.

3:48pm Wednesday 12th March 2008

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