Leatherbarrow and Morris earn Championship player awards

Scott Leatherbarrow and Sean Morris have taken the two Premier Sports Player of the Week prizes following their performances over the Easter period.

Keighley Cougars half-back Leatherbarrow was rewarded for influential displays in wins over Barrow Raiders and Hunslet Hawks to take the recognition in the Kingstone Press Championship.

Oxford centre Morris scored a try and was outstanding in his side’s debut win over Gloucestershire All Golds to clinch the Championship One prize.

Both players scored points towards their competition’s end of season Player of the Year award, with Leatherbarrow picking up points for both the Good Friday and Easter Monday performances.

Premier Sports Championship Player of the Week – Scott Leatherbarrow (Keighley Cougars)

Keighley Cougars scrum half Scott Leatherbarrow is the Premier Sports Player of the Week after guiding his side to two crucial Easter victories.

The former Wigan Academy half-back played a key role in wins over Barrow and Hunslet that lifted the Cougars from bottom place to ninth in the Kingston Press Championship.

Keighley coach Paul March said: “I left Scott out against York a couple of weeks back so that he could sit on the sidelines and watch what was going on during games.

“He took it all on board, and when I put him back in the side he had a massive impact on both our wins over Easter.

“Scott has a great kicking game, is a good goal kicker, and organises the team. He definitely showed what he can produce in those two games.”

Premier Sports Championship One Player of the Week – Sean Morris (Oxford)

Coach Tony Benson highlighted a “classy” performance from centre Sean Morris as one of the key reasons behind Oxford’s 40-30 win against Gloucestershire All Golds.

Benson said: “Sean was really classy. Defensively, his decision-making was superb, and on attack he was dangerous every time he got the ball.

“It was only his third game of rugby league.

“We’ve seen that he’s an outstanding athlete in training, and he’s so quick and skilful, but to do it in a game situation was very impressive.”

Championship Player of the Year award

Both Scott Leatherbarrow and Halifax hooker Paul Handforth picked up points in both of their teams’ matches over the Easter weekend to climb the table for the Player of the Year award.

Handforth moves up to joint third in the table having collected one point previously, while Leatherbarrow is just a point behind.

Good Friday Player of the Year points

5 points – Paul Handforth (Halifax)
4 points – Callum Phillips (Workington Town)
3 points – Keegan Hirst (Batley Bulldogs)
2 points – Scott Leatherbarrow (Keighley Cougars)
1 point – Matt Nicholson (York City Knights)

Easter Monday Player of the Year points

5 points – Scott Leatherbarrow (Keighley Cougars)
4 points – Tom Hemingway (Batley Bulldogs)
3 points – Cain Southernwood (Whitehaven)
2 points – Paul Handforth (Halifax)
1 point – Jessie Joe Parker (Whitehaven)

Championship One Player of the Year

Oxford’s Sean Morris is the early pacesetter after securing Round One’s Player of the Week.

Week One Player of the Year points

5 points – Sean Morris (Oxford)
4 points – Gary Middlehurst (North Wales Crusaders)
3 points – Tyla Hepi (Gloucestershire All Golds)
2 points – Steve Roper (Rochdale Hornets)
1 points – Andy Moulsdale (North Wales Crusaders)