Boost for Baines

CHRIS BAINES has had his season of big improvement marked by nailing a spot in the Co-operative Championship One All-Star team.

The consistent form of the 24-year-old second row forward, who only started in four matches last term, has been one of the brightest spots of the Roughyeds’ 2009 season.

He follows in the footsteps of last season’s Oldham representatives Paul O’Connor, Richard Mervill, Danny Halliwell and Marcus St Hilaire, but is the only current player to have made it into the representative line-up.

“It came as a bit of a shock, to be honest ,” said Baines, who is in his fourth season with the club since joining from Warrington’s academy.

“I wasn’t expecting it, but it is nice to be recognised.

“As far as I am concerned it isn’t just an individual effort but also one that has a lot to do with my team-mates.

“This has been the best year I have had since I have been at Oldham. I have always known that I am capable of showing this sort of form, so it has been a good year.”

Not being one to shy away from hard graft, Baines has also added another string to his bow lately by kicking goals — a facet of his game that is also coming on in leaps and bounds.

“I was nervous when I had the job for the first time at Blackpool, but since then I’ve been doing a fair bit of practice and I really do feel comfortable with it now,” added Baines, who has only missed one match this year, with all but two of 25 appearances coming from the starting line-up.

“It isn’t having any adverse affect on my normal game, and I must say I’m starting to enjoy it.”

Co-operative Championship One winners Dewsbury dominate the All-Star line-up with six players included.

Team — Jonny Leather (Blackpool); Bryn Powell (Dewsbury), Kane Epati (Dewsbury), Casey Mayberry (Hornets RL), Gavin Duffy (Keighley); Pat Walker (Dewsbury), Liam Finn (Dewsbury); Mark Applegarth (York), Richard Chapman (Hunslet), Scott Law (Keighley), Andy Bostock (Dewsbury), Chris Baines (Oldham), Adam Hayes (Dewsbury).