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Argus' Dragon of the Year 2013

Jonathan Evans is your Argus Dragon of the Year for 2012/13 after a breakthrough season at Rodney Parade.

The 20-year-old scrum-half from Bargoed made 29 appearances in an energetic campaign, sitting out just two games in the LV= Cup.

With his swift service and eye for a gap – as evidenced by his magnificent solo score against the Scarlets at the Millennium Stadium – he has made the Newport Gwent Dragons number 9 jersey his own.

At the start of the season there were question marks over the durability of the former Wales Under-20s starlet because a catalogue of injuries had limited him to just 13 games since his May, 2010 debut. 

But his response has been emphatic and Evans can count himself unfortunate to have not been rewarded with a place on Wales’ summer tour of Japan.

“It’s been a great season,” said Evans. “I’ve played a lot of rugby and that’s exactly what I wanted to do at the start of the year.

“Results haven’t really gone our way but from a personal point of view I’ve pretty much achieved all my targets.

“I’ve played 29 times, most of them starts, and that is about as much as I could fit in.

“I’m pleased with how the season has gone and I’m very happy with this award, so thanks to the Argus readers who voted for me.” 

Dragons head coach Darren Edwards, himself a former scrum-half, paid tribute to Evans’ efforts.

“Jon has been excellent,” he said. “His challenge was to establish himself as a first team member, challenge for that number 9 shirt and finish the season (because of past injuries).

“He has done all of that and it is credit to the hard work that he has put in.

“His performances have been excellent but at times it has been tough because he is a young player in a key position.

“Jon has grown up very quickly this season and I think we will see the benefit of all this game time next season.

“He has had to control some senior forwards and has done that remarkably well. Older guys have responded to him, he is controlling that pack of forwards and that is impressive at his age.

“Jon has a big challenge next season with Richie Rees joining us but if he responds, and I don’t doubt he will, then I fully expect him to be in the Wales squad.”

 

 •Previous Argus Dragon of the year winners: 2006/07 Colin Charvis, 2007/08 Joe Bearman, 2008/09 Joe Bearman, 2009/10 Ashley Smith, 2010/11 Adam Hughes, 2011/12 Robert Sidoli

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