Amateur RL: Mixed results on Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy front

IT WAS a case of two through and one out in the first round of the Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy.

While in-form Newsome Panthers and Underbank Rangers march on, Lindley Swifts suffered defeat at the first hurdle.

That 24-10 home loss for Swifts at the hands of fellow Second Division side Brighouse Rangers will have come as a huge disappointment.

But it’s a result which will have gone down well with Division II leaders Newsome, in particular, who are now a very firm favourite to take the title.

Swifts were clearly one of the main threats to the Panthers winning this competition for teams in Division II and below.

And Newsome’s big 44-6 victory over Third Division strugglers Victoria Rangers underlines the fact they could prove the team to beat.

But ever-improving Underbank, who beat Silsden 22-10, could be one of the dark horses to make a major impact.