In-form Underbank Rangers remain third in the National Conference League Third Division table after securing an emphatic 62-8 victory at struggling Woolston Rovers.

Rangers’ 11th success of the season keeps coach Richard Knight’s side in pole position for the play-offs and the chance to claim the League’s third promotion spot, although they know they face a far tougher test ahead in their next game at home to fourth-placed Crossfields on Saturday, August 30.

But with a strong and healthy squad at Knight’s disposal, they will head into that Cross clash with their confidence high.

Underbank welcomed back influential forwards Rob Joyce, Andy Boothroyd, Jordan Williams and Craig Williams for the win at Woolston, but were missing Luke Pogson, Joe Parkinson, Tom Eidson, Adam Ryder, Haydon Sutcliffe, Matt Adam and Luke Karolczuk, who were all unavailable, and the injured Dan Farrand and Dave Pawson.

Most of them should be back for Saturday week, however, which means Knight faces the potential of a massive selection headache.

It took only two minutes for Underbank to open their account in Cheshire as centre Alex Chatterton broke free and fed winger Corey Noel to weave through a ragged defence for the opening score. Stand-off Neil Barrett converted to land what was the first of nine successful conversions on the day as they went on register a scintillating 11-try rout.

By half-time Underbank were already in complete control, having charged into a 34-4 lead.

James Usher, Michael Murphy, Luke Nelmes, Michael Lang and Noel all crossed for scores after taking advantage of some great approach play, and it was already a case of how many?

The second period was a repeat of the first as the Underbank pack totally bullied the opposition into submission to add a further five tries while.

Centre Lang led the way by completing a hat trick, while Sam Rochford, Dan Pawson and Nelme also scored to wrap up Underbank’s biggest away win of the season.

Back-row forward Murphy took the Bengal Spice man-of-the-match award for a strong performance on the edges, but he was pushed hard for the award by the highly-impressive Williams, Nelmes and Chatterton., while half-backs Usher and Barrett controlled the field position superbly with a great kicking game.