Laulu-Togagae and Thomas named Premier Sports Players of the Week
Sheffield Eagles full-back Quentin Laulu-Togagae and London Skolars prop Rob Thomas are the Premier Sports Players of the Week.
Laulu-Togagae was in superb form as the Eagles completed a flawless May by beating rivals Halifax, while Thomas scored a hat trick in Skolars’ comeback win over Oxford.
Both players record 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 Championship and Championship One is contacted to help compile the Premier Sports awards.
Premier Sports Championship Player of the Week – Quentin Laulu-Togagae (Sheffield Eagles)
Sheffield full-back Quentin Laulu-Togagae is starting to find his record-breaking form from last season according to coach Mark Aston.
Laulu-Togagae ran in a club record 35 tries for the Eagles in 2012, and his display against Halifax on Friday night was crucial to their 31-18 win.
Aston said: “He started off a bit slow this year but he’s back to the standards of last season now.
“He’s still scored 16 tries this year and will probably end up with 20 plus again.
“On Friday he had terrific positioning on their kicking game and was a danger with the ball.
“The try he scored came at the right time for us, and it was a big game from Q.”
Premier Sports Championship One Player of the Week – Rob Thomas (London Skolars)
Powerhouse prop forward Rob Thomas made a huge impact when he came off the bench in London Skolars’ 40-34 win against Oxford.
The Skolars were trailing 18-6 at half time, but Thomas scored three tries in 18 minutes to swing the momentum in London’s favour.
Thomas charged through a number of defenders for his first two tries, then gathered a bouncing ball and bustled over to complete his rare treble.
Skolars coach Joe Mbu said: “There is still a long way for us to go, but our forwards made a big impact – especially Rob.”
Championship Player of the Year award
Featherstone Rovers prop Steve Crossley moves up to joint second in the table and Gregg McNally joint ninth after adding to their points totals this weekend.
Dominic Brambani was another to climb the table while Quentin Laulu-Togagae and Paul Cooke picked up their first points of the season.
5 points – Quentin Laulu-Togagae
4 points – Gregg McNally
3 points – Paul Cooke
2 points – Steve Crossley
1 point – Dominic Brambani
Championship Player of the Year Table
1. Mitchell Stringer (13 points)
2. Aaron Brown (9 points)
Steve Crossley (9 points)
Championship One Player of the Year award
Hemel’s Mike Bishay has stretched his lead in the Player of the Year rankings after earning two points for his performance in the Stags’ 52-24 win over South Wales Scorpions. Bishay did not make the Team of the Week, however, after Oldham hooker Adam Files produced an outstanding display, while London Skolars’ Rob Thomas took five points with his hat-trick off the bench against Oxford.
5 points – Rob Thomas
4 points – Adam Files
3 points – Mike Ratu
2 points – Mike Bishay
1 point – Gareth Langley
Championship One Player of the Year table
1. Mike Bishay (10 points)
2. Sean Morris (7 points)
3. Andy Moulsdale (6 points)