Halifax stand-off Scott Murrell and York City Knights scrum-half Ben Reynolds have been voted Championship players of the week.
Murrell was outstanding in Halifax’s 52-12 win over Whitehaven, while Reynolds dominated play in York’s 54-12 victory against Oldham.
Every week each coach in both Kingstone Press Championship competitions is contacted to help produce the awards.
Kingstone Press Championship Player of the Week – Scott Murrell (Halifax)
Scott Murrell led from the front as Halifax kept up the pressure on second-placed Whitehaven with a 52-12 win.
The stand-off was at the centre of his side’s win, scoring one try and having a hand in most others.
Halifax coach Karl Harrison said: “Scott was great against Whitehaven.
“He’d made a couple of poor decisions the week before at Batley that probably cost us a winning result.
“In the week he really got his head down in training, and guided his troops as captain.
“His performance against Whitehaven was just superb – he took the game by the scruff of its neck.”
Kingstone Press Championship One Player of the Week – Ben Reynolds (York City Knights)
York City Knights scrum-half Ben Reynolds produced a strong performance to help secure a 54-12 victory over Oldham.
Reynolds scored a try and kicked nine goals from as many attempts as York stretched their lead at the top of Kingstone Press Championship One.
Knights coach Gary Thornton said: “Ben was outstanding. He was pushed hard by a couple of other players, including his half-back partner Pat Smith – the two of them are forming a great partnership.
“Ben’s got natural skill, whether he’s at full-back or in the halves. He’s played the last five games in the halves and has done very, very well.
“We had a dominant pack against Oldham, and Ben took full advantage of that. Both him and Pat Smith are very creative.”
Kingstone Press Try of the Week – Luke Adamson (Halifax)
Halifax loose-forward Luke Adamson finished a flowing move for his side during their 52-12 win over Whitehaven.
The former Salford back rower was on the end of good build-up work from a host of teammates, starting with Ben Johnston.
Halifax coach Karl Harrison said: “Johnston hit a running Scott Murrell, and he then cut out Callum Casey and found Steve Tyrer with a pass.
“He fed the ball to Tommy Saxton, who went 30 or 40 metres down the sideline.
“As he approached the opposition 20, he put ball to boot with a grubber kick that bounced up perfectly for Adamson to take Shaun Ainscough over the line with him.
“It was an excellent team try.”
Kingstone Press Performance of the Week – York City Knights
York City Knights coach Gary Thornton hailed his side’s effort after they beat second-placed Oldham 54-12 to strengthen their own grip on top spot in Kingstone Press Championship One.
Thornton said: “It was an excellent team performance. We worked really hard all week on a game-plan, and the players delivered it.
“Oldham have got a huge pack who try to win that middle area. I challenged my forwards to not be beaten, and that’s what they did. We set off with some terrific energy and enthusiasm, which always helps, and then the confidence and dominance grew.
“We’ve got a terrific bunch of players at York this year, and I’m delighted they’re getting some success – but we’ve done nothing at the moment.
“We’re top of the league, but there’s a long way to go and it could drastically change if we’re not on our game every week.”
Kingstone Press Championship Team of the Week
1 Jack Murphy (Workington Town)
2 Rob Massam (North Wales Crusaders)
3 Greg Worthington (Featherstone Rovers)
4 Tom Armstrong (Leigh Centurions)
5 Liam Kay (Leigh Centurions)
6 Scott Murrell (Halifax)
7 Andy Kain (Featherstone Rovers)
8 Luke Ambler (Halifax)
9 Tom Hemingway (Dewsbury Rams)
10 Tom Lillycrop (Sheffield Eagles)
11 Alex Szostak (Workington Town)
12 Adam Robinson (Halifax)
13 Chris Annakin (Featherstone Rovers)
Kingstone Press Championship One Team of the Week
1 James Cameron (Hemel Stags)
2 James Hill (Hemel Stags)
3 James Ford (York City Knights)
4 Sam Te’o (Gloucestershire All Golds)
5 Jimmy Morgan (Hemel Stags)
6 Pat Smith (York City Knights)
7 Ben Reynolds (York City Knights)
8 Jack Aldous (York City Knights)
9 Paul Stamp (Gateshead Thunder)
10 Miles Fairbank (Gloucestershire All Golds)
11 Rhys Clarke (Gateshead Thunder)
12 Phil Carleton (South Wales Scorpions)
13 Colton Roche (York City Knights)
