Underbank Rangers retained top spot of the National Conference League, Division Three as they completed a compelling 62-0 rout over struggling Bristol Sonics.

Bank’s attacking qualities were once again rewarded as tries from Courtney Allette, Will Midgley, Kris Harrop, Jacob Senior, Richard Knight, Jayden Covell-Wood, Lee St Hilaire along with a 22 point haul from Neil Barrett made for a second successive crushing victory.

The reigning champions took to the task of topping last week’s performance over St Albans by producing another perfect defensive display which saw the home side record their second clean sheet in as many games.

Bank coach Knight was keen to express his delight and said: “We played really well and most importantly our defensive display was spot on.

“We were helped by completing really highly in the first half and our contact and ground work was impressive, so that’s a massive pleasing point and now we have gone two weeks on the bounce and kept both teams out.”

Bank may have not conceded a single point in 160 minutes of rugby, but Knight is under no illusions that the task of gaining a third successive victory will not be an easy task ahead of next week’s ‘Grand Final replay’ against Kippax.

“It may be a bit much asking for a clean sheet every game especially coming up to Kippax next week. We are expecting a really tough match their as they are the beaten Grand Finalists and we will have to be on top form and work really hard to come away with the three points.”

The men from Holmfirth expressed their intent in the opening quarter as Sonics failed to record any possession in the Rangers half.

Relentless Bank attacks saw them take a 26 point lead at the interval before they more than doubled the scores prior the final whistle.

It was the visitors who were in search of their first points of the league campaign yet the hosts were on hand to quell any Bristol threat and strike first after four minutes. A swift cross field move involving Steve Berry, Knight and Midgley saw the ball worked to unmarked Allette who went over.

Bristol failed to contain Barrett, who’s creative instinct produced a dazzling cross field kick which found Midgley on the far side who went on to finish clinically in the corner.

Harrop was next in line to go over, before a smart interception from Alex Chatterton took bank in touching distance of the opposition’s try line before Senior touched down his first of the afternoon.

A substantial gap had opened up before the break as a neat one-two between Nick Briggs and Knight saw the coach round Sonics’ full back and dive under the sticks.

The home side continued in similar fashion up to the hour as a combination of neat ball work and a reluctance to go down saw Covell-Wood and Knight bustle over within five minutes of each other.

Bank’s concentration was pivotal in not allowing Bristol any score as a ten minute period saw the visitors get a foothold on the game.

Yet any thoughts of a late comeback were soon laid to rest as breaking runs from Harrop and Senior sent Covell-Wood in for his second and Barrett over to make it 50-0 with ten minutes left on the clock.

Senior’s speed proved too much for the Bristol defence once again as he shrugged off two tackles before going over.

It was then Captain St Hilaire who capped off the visitor’s miserable afternoon as he profited from Barrett’s superb run through the middle and touched down Bank’s 11th try of the day.