Accolade for hat-trick star

IT’S all happening for Oldham Rugby’s young full-back Richard Lepori.

A hat-trick performance on his international debut for Italy against Germany was followed, eight days later, by another three-try haul in the Roughyeds’ 44-24 win at London Skolars.

Now he has been named Premier Sports’ Championship One player of the week - and hailed by club coach Scott Naylor as “explosive”.

Said the Oldham boss: “Once he gets through the defensive line and has only the full-back to beat you get a try eight times out of 10.

“I’ve known him a long time — I worked with him when he was a lad at Salford — and he’s in a rich vein of form.

“He scored three nice tries at Skolars. They were made by the work of our pack, but they needed finishing and that’s what Richard does best.”

Next challenge for 21-year-old Lepori comes in Sunday’s clash with Gloucester All Golds at Whitebank, Oldham’s last home game in the regular season one they must win to keep their title hopes alive.

Lepori is joined by his Oldham colleagues Josh Crowley and Phil Joy at centre and prop respectively.

There’s rugby league action at Whitebank tonight (7.30pm) when a Roughyeds’ under-20s squad goes head to head with newly-formed amateur club Manchester Rangers, coached by ex-Oldham boss Steve Molloy. There will be a short skills session followed by three 20-minute playing periods. Fans are welcome to attend.

Roughyeds’ under-20s’ last game in the regular season is at Whitebank on Friday week, August 16 against York (8pm kick off).