Emanuelli named Championship One Player of the Week

Correspondent

Paul Emanuelli of the South Wales Scorpions has been named as Kingstone Press Championship One Player of the Week.

The stand-off kicked the clinching drop goal in his team’s 19-18 win over London Skolars at Cardiff Arms Park at the weekend.

“Paul was fantastic all afternoon. He controlled the game throughout,” said South Wales coach Mike Grady.

“He goes to the line well, he’s got a great kicking game, he’s constantly talking and organising, and his composure is brilliant too.

“The drop goal was a good 30 yards out, wide of the posts and against the wind, but Paul knew exactly what he was doing.

“He’s been playing well for the last three or four weeks now, and I’m looking forward to seeing him next year when he’s had a full pre-season behind him.”

The Scorpions’ win also saw them receive the award for Performance of the Week. It was only their second win of the season, and their first in Wales for over a year.

“It was a great team effort. We showed great character, stayed in the arm-wrestle, and then got the drop goal at the end,” added Grady.

“Cardiff Arms Park and the big crowd that turned up provided a brilliant atmosphere, and thankfully we made the most of it by getting a result as well.

“We’ve said all year that we’re not that far off. If we do compete for 80 minutes, we can stick in games and get wins like this. Hopefully we can get one or two more before the year is out.”

Kingstone Press Championship One Team of the Week

1 Jimmy Watson (Hunslet Hawks)
2 Michael Crabtree (Oxford)
3 Jack Pring (South Wales Scorpions)
4 Phil Carleton (South Wales Scorpions)
5 Adam Clay (Oldham)
6 Paul Emanuelli (South Wales Scorpions)
7 Lewis Palfrey (Oldham)
8 Phil Joy (Oldham)
9 Paul Stamp (Gateshead Thunder)
10 Ryan MacDonald (London Skolars)
11 Jason Payne (Gateshead Thunder)
12 Danny Langtree (Oldham)
13 Dave Williams (London Skolars)