Thackeray named Championship Player of the Week
Dewsbury Rams half-back Anthony Thackeray is the first Kingstone Press Championship Player of the Week for 2014.
Thackeray marked his debut for the club with a try and the decisive drop goal in their one-point win over Featherstone Rovers.
The team display also earned the Rams the Kingstone Press Performance of the Week, while Kevin Penny’s length-of-the-field try at Halifax saw him handed the Try of the Week.
Every week, each coach in the Kingstone Press Championship is contacted to help put the awards together.
Kingstone Press Championship Player of the Week – Anthony Thackeray (Dewsbury Rams)
Anthony Thackeray marked his first competitive game for Dewsbury Rams with a match-winning drop goal in an 11-10 victory over Featherstone Rovers.
Dewsbury coach Glenn Morrison said: “Anthony was great for us. He scored a try, created the play that got us at the right end of the field for the drop goal, and then kicked the drop goal to win the match.
“He had a really big game, and everyone at the club can see the quality he brings.
“Anthony and our other halves are working really well together, they have got the football brains to be able to take us around the park and stick to any game-plan we give them.
“He has definitely done what we wanted from him so far, and hopefully he can stay injury free and have a big year for us.”
Kingstone Press Try of the Week – Kevin Penny (Swinton Lions)
Swinton Lions winger Kevin Penny showed outstanding pace and balance to score an opening-round, length-of-the-field try against Halifax.
Lions coach Ian Watson said: “We had a scrum 10 metres off our own line and Mick Nanyn gave him possession. First Kevin tried to go around his opposite winger, then he came back inside, rounded him again on the outside and carried on weaving in and out all the way up the pitch.
“Eventually he cut back inside and pulled clear. It was a special try and only someone with Kevin’s pace could have scored it.”
Watson added: “Kevin played well. He is not just about attacking, he spoke really well on the edge, and that helps us in defence. He was very important for us.”