Amateur RL: Aussies to come under Ricahrd Knight’s radar at Underbank

Jan 8 2010 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

UNDERBANK player-coach Richard Knight is scouting Australia in a bid to strengthen his squad for this summer’s Co-operative Conference National campaign.

Rangers marked their most successful season last year by finishing second in the table and reaching the Grand Final where they were beaten 38-22 by Bramley at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

With top amateur club Kippax having been admitted to the competition for 2010, the standard is guaranteed to rise, and that has strengthened Knight’s resolve to attract some quality personnel from Down Under.

“We went close to winning the comp in 2009 and would like to go one step further in 2010,” he said.

“The promotion of Kippax will further strengthen the already tough competition, and we will need to act accordingly.

“With the new season on the horizon there is a buzz about the club right through from the officials to the coaching staff and players.

“Hopefully we will be able to finish in the play-off positions once more and build on finishing runners-up last year.”

Kippax, who will be nicknamed the Knights, have been promoted to the elite division of the Rugby League Conference pyramid after winning the Yorkshire Premier title in 2009.

The RL Conference is now the sport’s fastest growing competition, incorporating teams from England, Scotland and Wales, RFL Regional Manager for London & the South, Dan Steel, is delighted with the progress that is being made.

“The competition has been a huge success story in the geographical expansion of the code, giving it an all-embracing, truly nationwide appeal,” he said.

“Conference National looks set for another exciting year with the successful application of Kippax to join, while the Conference Premier and Regional competitions will see further, exciting expansion in 2010.”

The Conference National in 2010 will be an 18-round competition, starting on Saturday, April 17, with the last of the regular season scheduled for the weekend of the 21-22 August.

A top-six, play-off format will again be in operation, leading to the Grand Final as part of the triple header Co-operative Grand Finals Day on September 26.

Conference National 2010 clubs: Bramley Buffaloes, Featherstone Lions, Carlisle Centurions, Dewsbury Celtic, Hemel Stags, Huddersfield Underbank Rangers, Kippax Knights, Liverpool Buccaneers, Nottingham Outlaws, Warrington Wizards.

Pennine League officials are once again fearing a complete white-out of fixtures this weekend as the cold snap continues.