Underbank make it two on the trot

Jun 12 2007 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Reis signs off in style as Rangers go fourth

UNDERBANK escaped another last-ditch scare to claim a second narrow victory in two consecutive Conference National games.

Despite leading by just four points with 15 minutes remaining, Rangers followed up their slender triumph over Hemel 10 days ago by grabbing an 24-18 triumph at Leeds Academiks.

The maximum points gained ensured player-coach Aaron Perrin's side moved up two places to fourth in the league.

Before the game the Australian said his team needed to play 'smarter rugby' to compete with the division's elite.

But, regardless of jumping up the table, Perrin was once again disappointed with the amount of errors they made.

"We created that many chances but made fundamental mistakes again," he admitted.

"Last week took a lot out of us and we've got a big game at Warrington on Friday night, so I don't know whether our heads were on that."

After early penalty conversions for both sides, James Price broke through a stubborn home defence after 30 minutes to score the opening try.

Six minutes later centre Tom Senior doubled Academik's woes when he received the ball on the wing and ran the length of the field to cross the tryline.

Refusing to throw the towel in, however, the home side worked their way back into the game with a try from Brad Conway a minute before the break.

Playing his final game for Rangers, Matt Reis touched down six minutes after the restart for what was to be the first of his two tries in the second half.

The hosts then struck back with scores from Stuart Houghton and Duncan Ogilvie.

But in the 79th minute, captain Dave Edwards eased the nerves of the visiting side with a late try.

Although Perrin has outlined a need for better all-round performances, he said that he is quite happy winning having played so poorly.

"A bad win is better than a good loss, so while there are lots of things we need to work on and improve, if we win by a small margin every week it's three points we get so I'll take that," said Perrin.

Underbank: Price, Booth, Senior, Vinaka, Oldfield, Perrin, Adam, Tarazi, Edwards, Greenwood, Leach, Hirst, Reis. Subs: Birt, Charlesworth, Jackson, Horsfall.