Dewsbury Rams half-back Anthony Thackeray is the first Kingstone Press Championship Player of the Week for 2014.
Thackeray marked his debut for the club with a try and the decisive drop goal in their one-point win over Featherstone Rovers.
The team display also earned the Rams the Kingstone Press Performance of the Week, while Kevin Penny’s length-of-the-field try at Halifax saw him handed the Try of the Week.
Every week, each coach in the Kingstone Press Championship is contacted to help put the awards together.
Kingstone Press Championship Player of the Week – Anthony Thackeray (Dewsbury Rams)
Anthony Thackeray marked his first competitive game for Dewsbury Rams with a match-winning drop goal in an 11-10 victory over Featherstone Rovers.
Dewsbury coach Glenn Morrison said: “Anthony was great for us. He scored a try, created the play that got us at the right end of the field for the drop goal, and then kicked the drop goal to win the match.
“He had a really big game, and everyone at the club can see the quality he brings.
“Anthony and our other halves are working really well together, they have got the football brains to be able to take us around the park and stick to any game-plan we give them.
“He has definitely done what we wanted from him so far, and hopefully he can stay injury free and have a big year for us.”
Kingstone Press Championship Performance of the Week – Dewsbury Rams
Dewsbury Rams displayed a steely resolve as they secured a first win of the season by snatching an 11-10 victory over Featherstone Rovers.
The Rams were trailing seven minutes from full time, but Anthony Thackeray’s try levelled the scores before Thackeray added a 78th-minute drop goal to snatch all three points.
Dewsbury coach Glenn Morrison said: “We have worked really hard in the off-season and built some momentum. We said that we needed to back that up against the favourites to see where we are, and we had a good win and deserved it. We worked really hard for each other in defence.”
“It was a good win, but it is only one win. We have still got improvements in us. We were a bit off with the ball, but when you have got the commitment and desire we have, then we are going to win more than we lose if we keep that up.”
Kingstone Press Try of the Week – Kevin Penny (Swinton Lions)
Swinton Lions winger Kevin Penny showed outstanding pace and balance to score an opening-round, length-of-the-field try against Halifax.
Lions coach Ian Watson said: “We had a scrum 10 metres off our own line and Mick Nanyn gave him possession. First Kevin tried to go around his opposite winger, then he came back inside, rounded him again on the outside and carried on weaving in and out all the way up the pitch.
“Eventually he cut back inside and pulled clear. It was a special try and only someone with Kevin’s pace could have scored it.”
Watson added: “Kevin played well. He is not just about attacking, he spoke really well on the edge, and that helps us in defence. He was very important for us.”
Kingstone Press Championship Team of the Week
1 James Mendeika (Featherstone Rovers)
2 Adam Higson (Leigh Centurions)
3 Elliot Cosgrove (Keighley Cougars)
4 Steve Tyrer (Halifax)
5 Dalton Grant (Barrow Raiders)
6 Martyn Ridyard (Leigh Centurions)
7 Anthony Thackeray (Dewsbury Rams)
8 Tony Tonks (Halifax)
9 Scott Spaven (Doncaster)
10 David Mills (North Wales Crusaders)
11 Rob Spicer (Dewsbury Rams)
12 Josh Lynam (Keighley Cougars)
13 Josh Barlow (Swinton Lions)
