Underbank Rangers have knocked out holders Newsome Panthers to power into the semi-final of the Holliday Cup.

The Pennine League Second Division leaders proved their class with a 24-10 triumph at the home of their Championship rivals to set up a last-four clash with Division I side Lindley Swifts.

It promises to be another tough assignment for the men from The Cross.

But after such an impressive victory against the Panthers, they won’t be lacking in confidence.

Despite conceding an early Newsome try, Rangers wasted little time finding a response with an unconverted try from Mark Hirst before Oliver Moorhouse doubled their tally to give the visitors a slender 8-6 interval advantage.

It got even better for Underbank at the start of the second half as good work from Tom Stringer and Hirst put Steven Woodcock over in the corner for a third unconverted try (6-12).

Newsome were next to strike to reduce the deficit to 12-10, but Rangers again found the perfect response with a try from Luke Pogson, which he also converted, to help tighten their grip on the contest.

And it was no surprise when Stringer and Hirst again combined to send in Woodcock to score under the posts for Pogson to again add the extras and complete the scoring.

The key to the victory was a fantastic team performance, although the man-of-the-match award was handed to Hirst.