Underbank completed their preparations for the forthcoming NCL Division 2 campaign with a comfortable 44-16 victory over Wibsey Warriors. After the hosts raced into an early 16 point lead, the visitors threatened to spoil Underbank’s plans by closing to just a four point deficit at half time with two converted tries in the final ten minutes before the break, but Rangers stepped up a gear early in the second period to take the game away from the Warriors.

On a bright but blustery afternoon at the Cross Grounds, Underbank had a much changed line-up with five debutants in the starting line-up and one more on the bench, and it was Aussie Mitch Turner who opened his account for the club who grabbed the first try after twelve minutes when quick hands to the right saw James Usher release the second row forward who danced his way through the defence to score. Usher missed the conversion, but he was successful just five minutes later after full back Sam Hendrick scorched over from 90 metres after receiving the ball from a scrum, ran across field selling a couple of outrageous dummies, then straightening to outpace the cover defence for a spectacular score. Shortly after five-eighth Joel Croker went close and from the resulting play the ball hooker Stephen Berry passed flat for prop forward Luke Karolczuk to crash over. Usher again converted and Underbank comfortably led 16-0. Wibsey then came to life with two quick fire scores as Rangers conceded both penalties and possession in their own quarter, and backrower James Morton and centre Lewis Barrett both raced over. With Luke Helliwell adding both conversions the score was suddenly 16-12.

Rangers with the stinging advice of the coaching staff still ringing in their ears, completely dominated both possession and field position for the next half hour and it was no surprise when Usher crossed for a try after receiving a great offload from centre Alex Chatterton. Berry then burrowed over from acting half, Matthew Bravo crashed over after receiving an inside pass from Luke Nelmes, Courtney Allette powerfully returned a clearing kick 60 metres for a rousing try, and then Hendrick completed his brace after supporting a strong surge from replacement hooker Andy Boothroyd. Croker added three conversion with Usher chipping in for another. However, the final word went to Wibsey who never threw in the towel and in a last hurrah wing Michael batty took adventage of a well worked backline move to score in the left corner to give a final score of 44-16.

Rangers: Sam Hendrick, Remone Notman, Alex Chatterton, Kurt Selmes, Courtney Allette, Joel Croker, James Usher; Luke Karolczuk, Stephen Berry, Dan Farrand, Liam Donlon, Mitchell Turner, Austen Barrowclough; Andy Boothroyd, Luke Nelmes, Paul Horsfall, Matthew Bravo