Championships All Star teams named

Championship Grand Finalists Featherstone Rovers and Championship One finalists Barrow Raiders lead the way in this season’s Championships All Star selections, with each club contributing four players to their respective competition’s selection.

Featherstone are represented by Championship Player of the Year nominees Liam Finn and Andy Kain, who occupy the half-back positions, centre Sam Smeaton and second row Matty Dale.

Leigh Centurions and Batley Bulldogs have three players each in the All Star selection, with Leigh centre Matt Gardner joining second row Craig Briscoe and loose forward Sam Hopkins. Batley prop Alex Walmsley joins the Bulldogs’ pairing of Gareth Potts and Alex Brown, who both earn their place on the wings.

Hooker Sean Penkywicz is one of two Halifax players named in the team of the year alongside prop Sam Barlow.

Last season’s beaten finalists Sheffield Eagles complete the Championship squad through Quentin Lalu Togagae, who occupies the full-back position.

In Championship One, Barrow Raiders, who upset Doncaster to secure a place in next week’s final, are represented by full-back Andy Ballard and scrum-half Liam Campbell, who joins back row pairing of Liam Harrison and Daniel Toal.

Championship One League Leaders Doncaster have three players in the line-up, with winger Stuart Sanderson and centre Lee Waterman joining experienced stand-off Paul Cooke, who earns his call-up after an impressive debut season with the South Yorkshire club.

West Cumbrian rivals Workington Town and Whitehaven contribute five players to the team of the year. Workington’s Jamie Thackray is in the front row at prop alongside hooker Graeme Mattinson, while centre Jason Mossop is the third Town representative. Whitehaven are represented by winger Craig Calvert and prop Paul Cullnean.

The final spot in the Championship One line-up is held by London Skolars second row Lamont Bryan.

Championship All-Stars

1. Quentin Laulu Togagae (Sheffield Eagles)
2. Gareth Potts (Batley Bulldogs)
3. Matt Gardner (Leigh Centurions)
4. Sam Smeaton (Featherstone Rovers)
5. Alex Brown (Batley Bulldogs)
6. Andy Kain (Featherstone Rovers)
7. Liam Finn (Featherstone Rovers)
8. Alex Walmsley (Batley Bulldogs)
9. Sean Penkywicz (Halifax)                
10. Sam Barlow (Halifax)
11. Matty Dale (Featherstone Rovers)
12. Craig Briscoe (Leigh Centurions)
13. Sam Hopkins (Leigh Centurions)

Championship One All-Stars

1. Andy Ballard (Barrow Raiders)
2. Craig Calvert (Whitehaven)
3. Jason Mossop (Workington Town)
4. Lee Waterman (Doncaster)
5. Stuart Sanderson (Doncaster)
6. Paul Cooke (Doncaster)
7. Liam Campbell (Barrow Raiders)
8. Jamie Thackray (Workington Town)
9. Graeme Mattinson (Workington Town)
10. Paul Cullnean (Whitehaven)
11. Lamont Bryan (London Skolars)
12. Liam Harrison (Barrow Raiders)
13. Daniel Toal (Barrow Raiders)