NEWPORT winger Elliot Frewen won't give up on his Wales dreams after being named as sevens player of the year at the Aviva Premiership awards night.
The 29-year-old from Pencoed scooped the award at a star-studded dinner at the Park Lane Hilton after playing a leading role in helping Newport Gwent Dragons win the Singha Premiership 7s last summer.
Frewen has long been a crowd favourite at Rodney Parade thanks to his exploits with the Black and Ambers, crossing for 41 tries in 106 appearances since his 2011 debut, and he gave Dragons fans a glimpse of his fast feet last summer.
He was player of the round as the Dragons triumphed in the Welsh qualifying leg at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, scoring five times, and repeated the trick at finals day at the Twickenham Stoop.
Frewen scored in the quarter-final win against Sale and was to the fore as the Welsh side upset the odds to beat Gloucester in the last four.
He then went over for the opener in the final against a Wasps side featuring England aces Elliott Daly and Christian Wade, who was nominated for the 7s award, before Harri Keddie's last-gasp score secured the trophy.
Frewen may have been star of the show on a big stage but a call-up to the international fold has proved to be elusive.
"I'm slightly disappointed that I haven't been given a shot with Wales but it's still a dream of mine," said the personal trainer and retained fireman.
"I know there are younger players out there and my chance may have gone but I'll keep giving it my best shot.
"I hope to play in the Sevens and the City tournament at Saracens' ground this summer for Samurai when there will be lots of international teams and Team GB there, so hopefully I can impress and put my name out there again.
"I did play (for a Wales development side) in a FIRA tournament in Lyon a few years ago when I didn't do myself justice – I think I put too much pressure on myself and did stuff I wouldn't do in training, let alone for Wales – but I'll never give up."
Frewen beat Wade to the award in London and was thrilled to be mixing with some giants of the professional game with other winners including George Smith, Maro Itoje and Alex Goode.
He said: "Just to be nominated with Christian Wade was good enough for me! I couldn't believe I was surrounded by such quality players in the room and then to be told I'd won, it was surreal."
Frewen & Co will hope to defend their crown in Coventry in August with finals day moving from the home of Harlequins to Wasps' Ricoh Arena in the West Midlands.
The Dragons have qualified from both previous Welsh legs in the capital and aim for a hat-trick at the Arms Park on Friday, July 22.
Singha Premiership Rugby 7s Schedule
Group A
Date: Friday 22 July
Venue: BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys, Scarlets
Group B
Date: Saturday 23 July
Venue: Sandy Park, Exeter
Bath Rugby, Exeter Chiefs, London Irish/ Promoted Club, Wasps
Group C
Date: Friday 29 July
Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton
Gloucester Rugby, Harlequins, Northampton Saints, Saracens
Group D
Date: Saturday 30 July
Venue: Kingston Park, Newcastle
Leicester Tigers, Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks, Worcester Warriors
Series Final
Date: Saturday 6 August
Venue: Ricoh Arena, Coventry
Tickets for the Singha Premiership Rugby 7s Series are now on sale at premiershiprugby.com/singha7stickets
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