Playmaker Palfrey is main man

BACK-TO-FORM Lewis Palfrey has been named Kingstone Press Championship One player of the week.

In the eight-try drubbing of Tony Benson's Oxford he rediscovered the spark that made him one of the division's top performers last season, landing eight goals from nine shots; kicking a 40-20 up the Whitebank slope; sending in Danny Langtree for two tries and David Cookson for another; and putting in a perfectly-weighted kick to the corner for Mo Agoro to score.

“We were more direct in the Oxford game and that suited me in terms of helping me to fulfil my role within the structure of the team," said the player.

The citation for his player-of-the-week billing said Palfrey's was an influential performance in which he directed Oldham's play with intelligence and maturity.

His eight goals gave him 20 in Championship One and lifted him to joint second in the league list.

Coach Scott Naylor is banking on his captain and midfield general going from strength to strength as third-placed Oldham prepare for the visit of second-placed York on May 18.

"This was Lewis's best display of the season, as near as you'll get to the complete performance," enthused the Oldham boss.

The divisional team of the week also includes Oldham prop Michael Ward and second-rower Danny Langtree.