Conference champions Underbank Rangers were denied a dream third round tie in the Carnegie Challenge Cup as Wath Brow edged a tight affair at Laund Hill.

The Hornets now enter the draw for the third round with the prospect of facing the likes of Batley and Dewsbury a mouth-watering possibility.

Underbank had already seen off Seaton and Stanley Rangers last month and set about claiming the scalp of Wath Brow, as a series of big hits and determined runs set the atmosphere in the early stages.

The fixture had been deemed one of the biggest in Underbank’s history and the home side had seemingly found the performance to match, as two outstanding tries from man of the match, Lee St Hilaire meant Rangers led 10-6 at the break.

There was nothing to choose between the teams as the clock approached the hour, but the visitors eventually proved too strong and three tries in second period presented Wath Brow the victory.

It was the visiting Cumbrian outfit that struck first blood after a cagey opening ten minutes.

Field position belonged to Wath Brow after Richard Huby forced Underbank full back, Nick Briggs into touch in his own 20. The visitors then swiftly switched the ball from left to right and Fran King slipped through Bank’s defence to finish clinically in the corner. Peter Caddy added the extras.

Momentum remained with the Hornets and they were soon on the attack again, but failed to capitalise on a slow-reacting defence, as a forward pass in the build up led to the resulting try being disallowed.

Underbank responded by pressing Wath Brow in the opposing half, and some neat interplay was soon rewarded.

Nick Briggs worked the ball short to St Hilaire, who brushed off two opponents and went over to score Bank’s first points of the afternoon after 34 minutes. Neil Barrett failed to convert.

Rangers sustained their pressure following a string of penalties cheaply given away by the Hornets.

The resulting set of six provided Bank with the possession they needed to once again work the ball to the on-rushing St Hilaire who displayed his quick-feet qualities in dancing through the Brow defence and scoring besides the sticks. Barrett kicked the extras to make it 10-6 at the break.

Underbank started the second period in similar fashion. Leroy Joe knocked on from the restart and the home side were on the front foot once again. Three consecutive set of six’s couldn’t be transformed into a try and that was to be the last of any real Bank pressure.

A penalty on the half way line sent Wath Brow on the attack, and the stubborn home defence could not stop Dave Pettit from hauling himself over in the corner after 52 minutes. Caddy converted from wide right to put the visitors back in the lead.

Underbank continued to struggle to find field position and were pressed back to defend on their own try line.

Huby took advantage first before ex-professional, Joe, sealed the win for Wath Brow.

Brow moved up the field quickly before finding Huby standing alone in front of the sticks, who simply fell over the line to extend the lead.

Then with less than ten minutes remaining, Joe bustled through a cloud maroon shirts to bag his first, and Brow’s fourth, of the afternoon. Caddy made it four out of four for him and successfully added the extras to make the final score 10-24.