Siddal bagged two vital points in their NCL Premier Division campaign, when they overcame local rivals Underbank Rangers in a closely fought contest that saw the lead change hands several times.

In the opening exchanges the two sides tore into one another. Byron Smith, George Ambler and Danny Rushworth were prominent for Siddal and the visitors were well served by Andy Boothroyd, Will Broadbent-Allen and Ashley Webb. The referee penalised Siddal for a high shot after 11 minutes and Underbank's impressive scrum half Richard Pogson made no mistake with the penalty to put his team ahead 0-2.

Siddal hit back after 15 minutes when a Freddy Walker break created the space for Sean McCormack to send Danny Rushworth over the line. Gareth Blackburn's conversion put Siddal in front 6-2.

The tackling intensified as the first half progressed. Danny Williams was immense in Siddal's defence and was supported by his second row colleague Ben Hinsley. Underbank refused to back down and the confidence from winning 5 of their last 6 games was demonstrated after 27 minutes. Replacement hooker Danny Hirst's deft kick was gathered over the line by Alex Chatterton who's try was improved by Pogson as Underbank regained the lead at 6-8.

The tit-for-tat nature of the contest was again on show just 6 minutes later. Player coach Gareth English kicked deep into the corner and the ball was pounced on by Ben West who touched down in the corner despite the attention of two Underbank defenders as Siddal nudged ahead 10-8, which was how the sides went into the half-time break.

Siddal were on top for the first 10 minutes of the second half. Dom Booth, Eddie Ainley and Zac Brennan were all showing well, but Siddal couldn't breach a determined Underbank defence. The visitors then moved play upfield , well prompted by Pogson and his half back partner Blake Murray and it was a short ball from Murray that Webb burst onto in a fine break to the line from 30 yards out to put the visitors back in front at 10-12 after 53 minutes.

The home side once again hit back after 64 minutes. Sam Walsh, Christian Ackroyd and Henry Turner were coming into the game and a McCormack kick was pounced on by Booth by the side of the posts for another try for Siddal. Lewis Hosty took over the kicking duties and his conversion put Siddal ahead again by 16-12.

The Huddersfield based visitors wouldn't lie down and full back Owen Restall levelled the scores at 16-16 after 69 minutes, when he touched down by the corner flag, with Pogson's conversion attempt hitting the crossbar and bouncing out .

Siddal's re-start sailed straight into touch and Pogson hit the resulting penalty from the halfway line as Underbank took a crucial 16-18 lead.

The home side were staring down the barrel of a fourth successive defeat, but were determined not to lose out again. With four minutes left on the clock, George Ambler forced his way over the line to score and Gareth Blackburn's conversion completed the scoring at 22-18.

This was a vital win for Siddal, who have played much better but lost this season. Their determination saw them home in what is hopefully a springboard for the second half of the campaign.