UNDERBANK RANGERS are one game away from reaching the Co-operative Conference National Grand Final for a third successive time.

And head coach Richard Knight is determined his side will make the trip to Warrington’s Halliwell-Jones Stadium on October 2 at the first attempt.

In the previous two seasons, Bank have reached the final the hard way, needing several attempts to get there.

But if the minor champions can beat Kippax Knights at The Cross tomorrow (2.30), they’ll have the following week off and should arrive in Cheshire with their batteries re-charged and ready to lift the main prize for the first time.

“In the past couple of years, we’ve been involved in sudden-death play-off games from the start,” said Knight.

“As a result, it means we probably played our final before we got to the Grand Final itself.

“But this time we can go through at the first time of asking, and that could make a massive difference to us.

“As we’ve unfortunately found out in the past two years, the team that goes in fresher has a big advantage.

“And that’s why this game against Kippax is so huge for us.

“If we win this weekend, the squad will have another week to rest up after a tough league campaign and we’ll also have more time to prepare for what is obviously the biggest game of the season.

“It is great to win the League Leaders Shield, but if we now fail to go on and win the Grand Final we’ll all feel this season and the past 20 weeks has been a complete waste of time.

“But with the attitude of the players at training over the past few weeks, I’m confident that won’t be the case.

“We look ready for tomorrow.”

And Knight has a strong squad at his disposal.

Although Richard Aka (broken leg) is out, Bank are boosted by the return of experienced duo Neil Barrett and Courtney Allette.

Underbank: Hendrick, Midgley, Briggs, Ryder, Smith, Allette, Knight, Barrett, Berry, Williams, Mitchell, Dalby, Housley, Joyce, St Hilaire, Carroll, Geoghegan, Cummings, Horsfall, Horne.