Unknown 'best fly-half in Wales this year' wins prestigious award three months after astonishing drop goal

The Wales-qualified youngster who hit the headlines with a monster drop-goal earlier in the season has won a coveted award.

Gwyn Parks propelled a 52-metre shot through the posts for Swansea University when they faced Cardiff Met in the BUCS Super Rugby competition. He was aided by Storm Dudley, which was blowing through south Wales at the time, but it was still a prodigious effort.

Now Parks, whose dad David was born in Gwent, has been named player of the year in the prestigious competition. Voted for by fans, the award featured a shortlist that contained Wales U20s lock Dafydd Jenkins, from Exeter University, Iwan Shenton from Cardiff Met, Harry Craven from Durham and Teddy Leatherbarrow from Loughborough, as well as Parks.

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Parks came through to take the honours.

A cousin of former Wales international Richard Parks, he has been coached by James Hook and Hugh Gustafson in Swansea and had an outstanding campaign as the south-west Wales university finished fifth in the BUCS table.

After winning his gong, he was hailed on social media, with former Maesteg scrum-half Alun Davies tweeting of him: “Awesome and so well-deserved @gwynparks9 — not only best in BUCS but best fly-half in Wales this season,”

Hook, Swansea University’s backs coach, said: “BUCS rugby is of a high standard, so for Gwyn to be named by fans as player of the season is a great pat on the back.

“He is a quality goal-kicker who has a strong kicking game out of hand. His game-control is excellent and he and Daf Lands have been excellent at half-back for us this season.”

The university’s head coach Gustafson said: “Gwyn has matured a lot during his time with us and his leadership has been superb. He’s brave, skilful