NEWSOME have been crowned Supplementary Cup champions for the sixth time in seven years after a 52-24 win against Underbank Rangers in the final.

Lockwood Park erupted into a scene of celebration at full time on Friday night – a moment when the Panthers once again savoured the taste of success in the competition.

Before being awarded with the silverware that is no stranger to their trophy cabinet, Newsome were made to work hard.

And work hard they did.

Team coach Phil Joseph’s side had to fight back from a 16-point handicap deficit at the start of the game.

But, reflecting on how the Panthers went into the half-time break leading 26-18, Joseph said: “We set out a plan at training for the game and executed it very well.

“I’m delighted with the win.

“They gave 100% and played for each other – you can’t ask for any more than that.”

In their win against Underbank, Panthers’ lively stand-off Simon Burkinshaw opened the scoring with a try after just 10 minutes. Ross Studholme converted.

Paul Bebe touched down not long afterwards following a well-worked cross-field passing interchange involving more than seven men, but Studholme failed with the kick.

Rangers’ first points of the game arrived on 30 minutes when John Birt converted a penalty kick in front of the posts.

But, one minute later, experienced man-of-the-match Andy Dickinson charged through the Underbank defence to touch down.

The loose forward scored his second try shortly after, with Studholme converting to put Newsome into the lead for the first time.

Twenty-three places separate the two sides in the Pennine League. Newsome are positioned in second spot in Division II and Rangers fourth in Division IV.

And, with one minute to go until half-time, the Panthers were beginning to demonstrate why the league gap between the two exists as they extended their lead further.

Burkinshaw used remarkable pace to exploit an opening in the Rangers’ defence and touch down. Studholme converted.

After a Dan Nelmes try forNewsome, Nick Bellas used all the strength he could muster to force his way over the line and touch down for Underbank’s first and only try. Birt converted.

A try apiece, however, for Ben Feehan (on 50 minutes) and Damien Ketchington (61), and two for Dan Nelmes (on 64 and 75), helped seal a convincing 52-24 win for the Panthers.

Phil Joseph said he was pleased with the way his side played after some bad performances in the league in the last two weeks.

He added: “We handled all the pressure, of going from playing so bad in recent weeks to how we did in this final, really well.

“It was a good all-round team performance.

“We’ve retained the Supplementary trophy a few times and made it our own.”

Underbank coach Rick Hedge said he was in no doubt that the best team won in the final.

“We worked hard to get to the final so I’m obviously disappointed with the outcome,” Hedge explained.

“They are a couple of divisions above us in the league and that showed. They are a very good side.”

Newsome: Farrell, Fox, Wallace, Nelmes, Robinson, Burkinshaw, Studholme, Morgan, Kenchington, Devlin, Dickinson, Taylor, Feehan. Subs: Bebe (Mark), Corrigan, Oldfield, Woods.

Underbank: York, Oxtoby, Franks, Senior, Bellas, Birt, Wilson, Jackson, Berry, Smith, Charlesworth, Watson, Mullan. Subs: Saville, Redfearn, Williamson, Moorhouse.

Referee: Steve Addy.

Underbank Conference National and Giants’ Reserves and Academy latest – tomorrow