Featherstone Rovers hooker Andy Ellis and Hunslet Hawks second rower John Oakes have been voted the Kingstone Press Players of the Week.
Ellis was dominant in Featherstone’s 32-26 win against Batley Bulldogs, while Oakes produced a tireless display in Hunslet’s 31-12 triumph over Oxford. Every week each coach in both Kingstone Press Championship competitions is contacted to help produce the awards.
Kingstone Press Championship Player of the Week – Andy Ellis (Featherstone Rovers)
Featherstone Rovers hooker Andy Ellis earned praise from both coaches for his performance in the 32-26 win at Batley Bulldogs.
Ellis played virtually the entire game and was immersed in the action throughout. Batley coach John Kear described his display as “outstanding”, while his own coach Andy Hay was also fulsome in his praise for the former Wakefield player.
Hay said: “Andy Ellis was excellent – he had to play almost 80 minutes due to and injury and was the stand out player.
“He was fantastic in defence, and in attack he was a constant threat and made a number of very good breaks.”
Kingstone Press Championship One Player of the Week – John Oakes (Hunslet Hawks)
Hunslet Hawks second-row John Oakes produced another industrious 80-minute performance to help his side earn a 32-12 victory over Oxford.
The Hawks trailed 12-6 at half time, but Oakes’ contribution was key according to Hunslet coach Barry Eaton.
Eaton said: “John’s been our most consistent player in the last month and he was excellent again against Oxford.
“He’s always been a very strong carrier of the ball, and he’s got some whack in defence too, but he’s now putting it all together and repeating it consistently.
“He’s doing 80 minutes every week, which shows his fitness levels are high, and he was very calm and assured even when we were trailing. He didn’t make any errors, and it’s great to have guys like him in your team.”
Kingstone Press Championships Performance of the Week – Barrow Raiders
Barrow Raiders climbed off the bottom of the Kingstone Press Championship table as coach Bobbie Goulding made a successful return to playing.
Goulding, 42, played for the first time in nine years. He helped his side beat Rochdale Hornets 38-18 and move above Swinton Lions at the bottom.
Goulding said: “I thought my forwards were outstanding and really laid the foundations.
“The two boys we signed from Salford, Michael Platt and Jason Walton, were unbelievable.
“Now we need to keep our feet on the ground and be consistent. We need to go on a run like Whitehaven and Keighley have been doing.”
Kingstone Press Try of the Week – Ryan Brierley (Leigh Centurions)
Leigh Centurions scrum-half Ryan Brierley finished a set play in fine style to register his side’s fourth try in a 28-16 victory over Workington Town.
Centurions coach Paul Rowley said: “It was a move we’ve done many times. We need to be nice and intricate around the ruck, with three tight passes creating space and Brierley supporting up the middle.
“When it’s executed well it’s a pretty special try. It takes a lot of skill and a lot of teamwork. The move started about 60 metres out, and Ryan had 40 metres to go to score. It was good to watch.”
Kingstone Press Championship Team of the Week
1 Tom Carr (Whitehaven)
2 Scott Turner (Sheffield Eagles)
3 Tom Armstrong (Leigh Centurions)
4 Jessie Joe Parker (Whitehaven)
5 Ben Blackmore (Batley Bulldogs)
6 Carl Forber (Workington Town)
7 Anthony Thackeray (Dewsbury Rams)
8 Jordan Hand (Whitehaven)
9 Andy Ellis (Featherstone Rovers)
10 Tony Tonks (Halifax)
11 Jason Walton (Barrow Raiders)
12 Liam Kent (Doncaster)
13 Sam Barlow (Leigh Centurions)
Kingstone Press Championship One Team of the Week
1 Louis Sheriff (Gateshead Thunder)
2 Mo Agoro (Oldham)
3 Jimmy Watson (Hunslet Hawks)
4 Danny Maun (Hunslet Hawks)
5 Lee Mapals (Gateshead Thunder)
6 Matty Beharrell (Gateshead Thunder)
7 Ben White (Gloucestershire All Golds)
8 Teli Pelo (London Skolars)
9 Connor Farrer (South Wales Scorpions)
10 Jack Francis (Gloucestershire All Golds)
11 John Oakes (Hunslet Hawks)
12 Danny Langtree (Oldham)
13 Eddie Mbaraga (Hemel Stags)
