Underbank’s impressive first campaign in the National Conference League Premier Division just gets better and better, and dumbfounds the pundits who in preseason made the Holmfirth side red hot favourites for relegation and a swift return to Division One. With this fifth consecutive victory Underbank just about secured their position in the division for 2019 and now they have their eyes on a play-off spot with seven games to go, and this despite the loss of two points for ‘allegedly’ playing an unregistered player earlier in the season. In extending their winning run to five games they consolidated their seventh position on the league table with a convincing win over their Cumbrian rivals who remain second on the league table despite the loss. However, it was so different early in the game as Rangers were looking down the barrel of defeat after only 20 minutes with the visitors in a comfortable 16-0 lead, but a combination of improved game management and some 50:50 decisions going their way, gave Underbank the platform to reduce the deficit and then pass their opponents in the final quarter of the game to secure a great win that delighted the home supporters. Underbank are now within striking distance of the play-offs just a point behind the reigning Wath Brow Hornets who lie in the final play-off spot of sixth. The home side outscored their opponents six tries to five in a highly entertaining game, Rangers scores coming from five–eighth Owen Restall, left wing Courtney Allette with a brace, left centre Joey Bobbin, hooker Danny Hirst and flying wingman Sam Ansell who scored for the fifth consecutive game and moved onto 18 NCL tries for the season. Half back Luke Pogson’s superb place kicking reaped another five conversions to complete the Underbank points haul and seal yet another victory at the Cross Grounds, with only Hunslet Club Parkside lowering Rangers’ colours at home in 2018.

Rangers again had a settled side with Danny Hirst returning from holiday for Andy Boothroyd at hooker and Jordan Williams (groin injury) back for the injured skipper Alex Chatterton (shoulder) who missed only second game in the past five seasons.

The game was once again played on an extremely hard pitch, as the UK heat wave relentlessly continued, and in very hot and sunny conditions, with Underbank receiving the kick off. The opening period totally belonged to the visitors as they dominated both possession and field position as Underbank struggled to contain the quick play of the Cumbrians especially up the middle where Egremont tore holes in the Rangers defence. This early domination was rewarded with three scores, two for tireless hooker Matthew Henson. The first try on five minutes resulted from the home side not defusing a towering kick and Henson picked up the ball to score, and he doubled his account on ten minutes as he bludgeoned his way over the stripe with a strong surge from acting half back, and the early onslaught was completed on 19 minutes as back row forward Michael Elwood raced through a huge gap in the Underbank defensive line to touch down. Two conversions from centre Matthew Bewsher had the visitors 16-0 to the fore at the end of the first quarter and prospects looked extremely ominous for the home side. However, they regrouped and began to respect possession, and after winning back to back penalties, Restall was sharp as a pin as he took a quick restart, and with the Egremont defence not alert to the fact, plunged over for a great opportunistic try. The score visibly lifted the home side and they were now on a roll as they completed eight sets on the spin and the lead was cut to four when Allette picked up at the play the ball and powered over to the left of the posts with three defenders desperately hanging on. Pogson converted both tries and Egremont’s lead was reduced to four. The visitors were give a lifeline on 37 minutes as Rangers committed a forward pass, while on the attack and looking threatening one again, and then conceded a penalty giving up valuable territory as a result, and Egremont made the hosts pay as the impressive front row forward Tom Horner rumbled over the goal line through two missed tackles. Bewsher converted and Egremont went to the sheds with a deserved 22-12 half time lead.

Playing down the slope in the second period Rangers needed a good start and were given a bonus by the referee. Pogson had been penalised for obstruction, but the penalty was incorrectly reversed for backchat from an Egremont player, and Underbank took advantage of the error as Pogson stabbed a kick through for Bobbin to win the race and score. Pogson’s conversion again cut the deficit to four points, but Egremont ht back once more in their only meaningful attack of the second half as an overlap was created on their left edge and wing Fraser McNee raced over in the corner. Bewsher crucially couldn’t convert and his side led 26-18. That was the last time Egremont would threaten to score as Underbank increased the tempo and were now in complete control of the game as the visitors made handling errors and started to lose their discipline. In a period of the game where the home side completed on ten consecutive possessions, three match winning scores sealed a tremendous come from behind success that has the home crowd in raptures. In eight exciting minutes Allette completed his double when he proved too strong for his opposite number after receiving a Hirst pass from a scrum, then Hirst darted out of dummy half and weaved his way past four defenders to touch down, and finally Restall took a short side option to give Ansell an easy four-pointer in the right corner. Two Pogson conversions completed the point scoring and gave Underbank an unassailable eight point lead as the game entered the final ten minutes. Underbank then wound down the clock as their opponents desperately tried to rescue the situation, three times chipping ahead early in the tackle count, but to no avail and Underbank gained another deserved and pulsating win in a glorious campaign for the team.

Hooker Danny Hirst was the unanimous winner of the Rose & Crown Players’ Player of the Match for his excellent work out of dummy half and Jordan Williams won the Bengal Spice Man of the Match for his all outstanding defensive work in the front row. He was pushed for the award by Courtney Allette and Jakob Garside, who both had their best performances of the season. Next weekend Underbank have an examination of their play-off credentials with a tough trip to Kells in Cumbria. Any spectators that wish to travel are more than welcome and reminded that the bus will leave Underbank at 0900.