Amateur RL: Injury-time agony for brave Underbank Rangers

Sep 22 2009 by Peter Barrow, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Rangers responded when Senior showed impressive balance and footwork to score under the posts. Barrett added the conversion to put Underbank in front 12-10 at half-time.

The Holmfirth side were penalised twice in quick succession upon the restart, allowing Bramley good field position.

And hooker Graham Harrison took full advantage on 42 minutes, when he dived over from dummy half from a couple of metres out. Drake added the simple conversion to put Bramley back in charge.

Buffaloes substitute Danny O’Connor made a big impact in the early stages of the second half.

He made several powerful runs, and from one surge, John Elliker scored a try on 47 minutes when he crashed over from close range, Drake again converting.

Underbank’s woes were compounded three minutes later when Senior was sin-binned after they had conceded a succession of penalties, and within 30 seconds Barrett was dismissed for alleged stamping.

Bramley failed to take advantage of the extra two players as Rangers’ scrambling defence held out with Dave Valentine, Lee St Hilaire and Will Midgley to the fore.

After repelling the Buffaloes, Underbank showed their resolve and St Hilaire raced over after running a great line to scythe through. Thorley added the conversion to cut the deficit to four points.

Underbank were now posing all the attacking threat as the Buffaloes struggled to get their hands on the ball.

The back row of Gary Keegan, Senior and Darren Hawkyard were causing all sorts of problems.

It was Hawkyard who showed great strength to stretch over in the left-hand corner to level the scores, but Thorley was just wide with his goal attempt.

Underbank still had the momentum and on 78 minutes went ahead when Thorley kicked an easy penalty after a high tackle.

As the clock ticked down Drake tied the scores with an 84th-minute penalty for a grapple tackle and then he made his match-winning intervention with seven extra minutes played.