Ellis named Championship Player of the Year

Barrow hooker Andy Ellis was named Championship Player of the Year at an awards ceremony last night.

Ellis, 24, has been instrumental in leading the Raiders to the league leaders shield, the Grand Final and a Northern Rail Cup final, just a season after their promotion from the then National League 2.

He beat off competition from Halifax scrum half Ben Black and Sheffield centre Menzie Yere to win the prize, and coach Dave Clark capped off a superb night for the Raiders by winning the Coach of the Year award.

Leeds-bound prop Kyle Amor won the Young Player of the Year award after a superb season at Whitehaven, while new Featherstone signing Liam Finn won Championship 1 Player of the Year for his performances at unbeaten champions Dewsbury.

Amor was chosen for the award ahead of Featherstone half-back Kyle Briggs and Batley winger Jermain MacGillvary, while Blackpool’s Jonny Leather won the Championship 1 Young Player of the Year.

The Rams capped off a superb season with the Club of the Year award, Halifax won the Frontline Fair Play Award and prop Frank Watene was named Coop/Northern Rail Star for all the work he has done in the community over the last year.

Sheffield won the Best Community Programme award while Ronnie Laughton picked up referee of the year.