As we come to the end of the first NCRL season, it's time to reveal the Player of the Year nominations from across the divisions and regional conferences.
Premier Division
Eligh Wilkinson (West Hull): A lethal left-edge weapon who represented the England Community Lions U19 at this year's European Championship, Wilkinson crossed for 26 tries and scored 146 points in 14 games.
Jack Sanderson (West Hull): A sharp and strong centre who completed West Hull's dangerous left-side pairing, Sanderson accumulated 186 points from 16 tries and 61 goals across 20 appearances.
Lewis Camden (West Bowling): A former Bradford Bulls Academy product and West Bowling junior who represented Yorkshire in the Origin series, Camden was a focal point in attack at fullback or halfback, earning 5 Player of the Match awards while tallying 11 tries and 4 goals in 14 games.
Division One
Clarke Chambers (Kells): Following his return to Kells after a season with Whitehaven, Chambers raised his game to a new level, racking up 25 tries in 20 matches along with 7 Player of the Match selections.
Connor Williams (Egremont Rangers): Williams proved to be one of Egremont’s primary attacking options throughout the year, scoring 23 tries in 18 appearances.
Joel Gibson (Dewsbury Celtic): Delivering high-level performances for years with previous club Thornhill, the veteran enjoyed a strong campaign as Dewsbury Celtic finished at the top of Division One, recording 23 tries, 32 goals, and 156 points in 22 games.
Cumbria
Tom Farren (Dalton): A winner with the England Community Lions U19 2024 European Championship squad in Serbia, Farren topped the both the league and division's try-scoring list with a sensational 28 tries in just 12 appearances.
Ellis Archer (Barrow Island): A former St Helens youth system product who featured when called upon by hometown club Barrow Raiders, Archer enjoyed a standout campaign as he returned to his community roots with Barrow Island. Posting 206 points across 11 appearances (19 tries, 64 goals, 2 drop goals), his stellar form precedes his upcoming role as player-coach for the Island for 2027.
Fletcher Holgate (Hensingham): A sprightly, alert hooker who is quick off the mark, Holgate was a hero of the England Community Lions U-19 European Championship title success in Belgrade, Serbia in 2024. He maintained that high standard as an ever-reliable hub for Hensingham, registering 15 tries and claiming 7 Player of the Match awards in 16 outings.
North West
Ryan Brown (Woolston Rovers): A creative and inspirational playmaker who served as the primary hub for Woolston Rovers, Brown gathered 82 points and earned 8 Player of the Match awards across 14 games.
Luke Sutcliffe (Ashton Bears): The all-action centre or back-rower contributed 12 tries in 14 matches, playing a pivotal role in helping Ashton Bears reach the Cross Conference Shield Semi-Finals.
Byron Aspinall (Ince Rose Bridge): A tireless worker in both attack and defense, the clever hooker dictated tempo in the middle and linked play seamlessly for his halfbacks to flourish, adding 10 tries in 11 games.
Yorkshire A
Sam Ratcliffe (Thornhill Trojans): Maintained free-scoring form for Thornhill, accumulating 150 points via 14 tries and 47 goals in 17 matches.
Adam Gaunt (Keighley Albion): Posted 20 tries in 17 games operating primarily at scrum-half, while demonstrating great versatility across the backline.
Daniel Stanley (Thornhill Trojans): Proved a key figure for Thornhill, bringing steady direction to the engine room and spine to claim 5 Player of the Match awards in just 8 appearances.
Yorkshire B
Thomas Gray (Skirlaugh): An adaptable fullback or centre who made his senior international debut for Scotland this year, Gray registered 11 tries in 13 appearances.
Alfie Beresford (Featherstone Lions): A former Leeds Rhinos Academy product and Lions junior who returned after a stint with Normanton Knights, the 20-year-old demonstrated maturity and versatility across the spine, contributing 15 tries and 64 points in 17 games.
Tayler Stephenson (Milford): Having spent time in the Leeds Rhinos U18s Academy and Reserves setups, the in-form halfback proved a central figure upon returning to amateur level with Milford. Stephenson collected 4 Player of the Match awards and chipped in with 4 tries across 15 appearances in a creditable Milford team effort.
South
James "Jimmy" Russell (Hammersmith Hills Hoists): A central figure in the Hoists' spine primarily at hooker, Russell provided dummy-half direction, distribution, and a threat close to the line, running in 12 tries in 11 appearances.
Joshua Fisher (Hammersmith Hills Hoists): A versatile strike option out wide, Fisher provided potent finishing power and line-breaking ability across the backline, bagging 13 tries in 12 games.
Tamati Gribble (Wests Warriors): Operating as a powerful running centre and key focal point in the Wests backline—including crossing the line in the Grand Final—Gribble matched Fisher's return with 13 tries in 13 matches.
Top Points Scorer:
Dylan Bragg (Hensingham)
In the individual statistical awards, Hensingham's gun halfback Dylan Bragg finished as the competition's premier points generator.
Controlling play from the halves over 17 appearances, Bragg's record for the season reads:
- Tries: 12
- Goals: 84
- Field Goals: 1
- Total Points: 206
Bragg's game management and kicking precision proved vital to Hensingham throughout the campaign, cementing his place as the competition's top overall point scorer.
In addition to the playing accolades, recognition will also be given to the Coaches of the Year and Secretary of the Year for their tireless work behind the scenes throughout the inaugural season.
All category winners will be invited to the flagship Finals Day at Wakefield on Saturday 24th October, where they will be officially presented with their awards.
