Championships Team of the Week – May 5

Premier Sports Try of the Week – Benn Hardcastle (Gateshead Thunder)

Benn Hardcastle put the finishing touches on a sweeping move that saw Gateshead Thunder claim their sixth try in a 30-10 win over Gloucestershire All Golds.

Thunder coach Kevin Neighbour said: “It was the last tackle and we put on a bit of good work down the short side.

“There were two or three excellent passes before Josh Neilson went through, and he found Benn in support.”

Neighbour added: “We knew there was an opportunity to get our first win if we did everything right, and that’s what we did. A lot of lads played fantastically well and they got what they deserved.”

Premier Sports Performance of the Week – Leigh Centurions

Leigh Centurions claim the Premier Sports Performance of the Week award for the second week running after demolishing York City Knights 52-4 at the Huntington Stadium.

The Knights had an impressive home record prior to Sunday’s match, but nine-try Leigh left the hosts shell-shocked. Ryan Brierley scored a hat-trick, and was joined in the Premier Sports Championship Team of the Week by Bob Beswick and Tommy Goulden.

Centurions coach Paul Rowley, whose side beat Batley 20-0 eight days ago, said: “We’ve hit a good bit of form and we’re really pleased with it, especially our defence, which was pretty brutal again. It’s been a good concerted effort.”

Premier Sports Championship Team of the Week

Richie Hawkyard (Swinton Lions)
Wayne Reittie (Halifax)
Menzie Yere (Sheffield Eagles)
Danny Cowling (Doncaster)
Stuart Sanderson (Doncaster)
Peter Lupton (Workington Town)
Ryan Brierley (Leigh Centurions)
Anthony England (Featherstone Rovers)
Bob Beswick (Leigh Centurions)
Steve Crossley (Featherstone Rovers)
Frankie Mariano (Featherstone Rovers)
Tommy Goulden (Leigh Centurions)
Karl Olstrum (Workington Town)

Premier Sports Championship One Team of the Week

Jonny Leather (Oxford)
Dalton Grant (South Wales Scorpions)
Danny Halliwell (Oxford)
Sean Morris (Oxford)
Rob Massam (North Wales Crusaders)
Chris Parker (Gateshead Thunder)
Benn Hardcastle (Gateshead Thunder)
Jason Payne (Gateshead Thunder)
Gareth Honor (Hemel Stags)
Tyla Hepi (Gloucestershire All Golds)
Mike Worrincy (London Skolars)
Aaron Ollett (Gateshead Thunder)
Jono Smith (North Wales Crusaders)