IN-FORM Underbank Rangers are confident they can repeat last year’s Grand Final triumph over Kippax Knights tomorrow (2.30).
It will be the first time the two clubs have met since last season’s championship decider at Warrington.
And even though Kippax have home advantage, Bank are confident they can secure the League points and extend their lead at the top of the National Conference League Division III table.
The Holmfirth-based club have destroyed St Albans and Bristol Sonics in their last two games and coach Richard Knight believes his side are in a strong position to collect three more valuable points.
“There’s a real buzz among the players, and at the moment we’re looking a threat to all teams,” said Knight.
“Everyone is up this one and I can’t fault the effort the lads have put in to training this week.
“We’re coming off the back of two top performances and hopefully that momentum will see us produce another one against Kippax.”
Despite high hopes of making it three wins on the bounce, Knight feels Kippax will have last year’s Grand Final defeat in their minds and will be looking to gain revenge.
“This will be our toughest test since Hemel on the opening day and they did beat us in the play-offs en route to last year’s Grand Final,” he added.
“They play a pretty hard game and have some strong, physical players.
“But we’re the in-form team and they know they will have to produce a top performance to stop us.”.
Although Alex Chatterton, Michael Lang and Paul Horsfall are missing through injury, Rangers are still able to field a strong side.
“Unfortunately, Alex has picked up a sternum injury and won’t be fit to feature at Kippax, but he’ll be the only name missing from the 17 that played last week,” revealed Knight.
“We do have plenty of cover and we had a strong 23 training this week so we certainly won’t be going into this game light on players.”
