Karl Olstrum and Jono Smith are Players of the Week
Loose forwards Karl Olstrum and Jono Smith have taken the honours as Premier Sports Players of the Week after producing outstanding individual displays on Sunday.
Olstrum was a key part of Workington Town’s 32-18 win over Hunslet Hawks, while Smith excelled as North Wales Crusaders overcame Rochdale Hornets 35-18.
Both players recorded the maximum five points towards their respective competition’s Player of the Year award at the end of the season.
Every week each coach in the Kingstone Press Championship and Championship One is contacted to help compile the Premier Sports awards.
Premier Sports Championship Player of the Week – Karl Olstrum (Workington Town)
Workington coach Gary Charlton hailed Karl Olstrum’s performance in Town’s 32-18 win over Hunslet Hawks. Olstrum scored one try and dictated Workington’s play throughout.
Charlton said: “It was the best game Karl’s played for Workington Town by a long way.
“His work rate is phenomenal. He’ll put in 50 tackles and take the ball up 20 to 30 times. On top of that he was bursting the line and scored a beautiful try that not many people could score.”
Charlton added: “We defended really well, and that’s how you win games in this division. It was a very pleasing performance all round.”
Premier Sports Championship One Player of the Week – Jono Smith (North Wales Crusaders)
North Wales loose forward Jono Smith was outstanding as the Crusaders maintained their 100 per cent start to the season by winning 35-18 at Rochdale.
Smith, who scored a first-half try, earned huge praise from Crusaders coach Clive Griffiths.
Griffiths said: “Jono was great in attack and defence. Rochdale tried to tire him out by spotting him, but every time they tried it they got put on their backsides, and every time he got the ball he did something.
“He’s more vocal this year and he’s one of our senior men. When he speaks, everybody listens. He’s got a good rugby brain and he’s a great contributor to our team.”
Premier Sports Championship Player of the Week
5 points – Karl Olstrum (Workington Town)
4 points – Bob Beswick (Leigh Centurions)
3 points – Richie Hawkyard (Swinton Lions)
2 points – Wayne Reittie (Halifax)
1 point – Menzie Yere (Sheffield Eagles)
Championship Player of the Year Table
1. Mitchell Stringer (13 points)
2. Aaron Brown (9 points)
3. Paul Handforth (8 points)
Miles Greenwood (8 points)
Premier Sports Championship One Player of the Week
5 points – Jono Smith (North Wales Crusaders)
4 points – Aaron Ollett (Gateshead Thunder)
3 points – Mike Worrincy (London Skolars)
2 points – Sean Morris (Oxford)
1 point – Ben Hardcastle (Gateshead Thunder)
Championship One Player of the Year
Hemel’s Mike Bishay continues to lead the Player of the Year rankings, but Oxford centre Sean Morris has narrowed the gap to one point after starring in his side’s 23-22 win over the Stags.
1. Mike Bishay (8 points)
2. Sean Morris (7 points)
3. Andy Moulsdale (6 points)