Underbank Rangers fell at the Conference Challenge Trophy first hurdle after suffering a 40-6 seven try defeat at Leigh Miners Rangers – the best amateur club in the game.
But the National Conference League Second Division visitors can still take a great deal of pride from a gutsy and determined effort against the unbeaten Premier Division leaders,
It was only three tries in the final seven minutes of the game that gave the hosts a flattering victory margin after Underbank had turned around at half-time trailing by just six points.
Ten players were either injured or unavailable on the day and coach Richard Knight brought in rookies Remone Notman and Will England into the 17, with the experience they gained expected to prove invaluable further down the line.
Leigh Miners started quickly and were 12 points ahead after just seven minutes as they successfully attacked Underbank’s edges.
However, Underbank steadied the ship and got a foothold in the game, with strong performances from forwards Stephen Berry, Dave Valentine, Luke Nelmes and Luke Karolczuk.
And, after spurning a couple of half-chances, they got their just rewards just before the break when Luke Pogson put in a grubber-kick that the Leigh full-back couldn’t control in the slippery conditions and Underbank full-back Will Midgley gleefully collected the ball to register a well-deserved four-pointer.
Joel Croker converted, but that was as good as it got for the men from West Yorkshire as they headed to the sheds trailing by only 12-6.
The second half was a different tale, however, as the hosts showed their class in starving Underbank of both possession and field position, and they posted a further five tries and four conversions in the second period to run out comfortable winners in the end.
