BOSS Gary Thornton was quick to praise forward-thinking Colton Roche for his impact since joining York City Knights.

The 21-year-old arrived from Sheffield Eagles in late May and has since played in every position in the pack bar hooker, finally getting personal reward by being named in the Championship One Team of the Week after Sunday's win over Oxford.

He has also been training weekdays with York's partner club Castleford in a bid to improve and perhaps win a Super League contract.

Said Thornton: "It was his best game on Sunday - very explosive and dominant, and aggressive defensively.

"He took a little time to settle in as he hadn't played for a while but now his fitness is catching up we're seeing what he can do. Hopefully he can kick on further."

Roche was joined in the Team of the Week by stand-off Ben Reynolds and fellow dual-reg ace Brad Day, who bagged a hat-trick to make it five tries in two appearances for York.

The league leaders have also had five players named in the Rugby League World magazine's latest Team of the Month - James Haynes, James Saltonstall, Pat Smith, Brad Brennan and Joe Pickets.

To make Sunday's visit of second-placed Oldham even more mouth-watering, the Roughyeds had four players in the Team of the Month and two in the Team of the Week.