Underbank A THREE-try blitz from Warrington Wizards early in the second half meant Underbank Rangers made a disappointing start to the Co-operative National Conference season as they were beaten 54-22 at home.

A below-strength Rangers side, featuring just six players who had taken the field for the 2009 Grand Final against Bramley, produced an under-par performance and their indiscipline proved their undoing at a crucial stage of the contest.

The sides traded penalties with scrum half Warren Ayres kicking his first goal of the game after six minutes, but a high shot allowed Chris Johnson to level the scores soon after.

The Wizards grabbed the opening try of the contest when loose forward Alan Reddicliffe crashed over, Ayres adding the goal, and they extended their lead when centre Matt Taylor collected an Ayres kick to race over the line.

Rangers produced the perfect response as stand off Darren Hawkyard took centre stage as he first put centre Johnson in for a try, Richard Aka went within inches of scoring from a Hawkyard kick ahead, and then Johnson bagged his second touchdown as he was first to reach a Tom Antony grubber kick.

Johnson added the goals and Rangers went into half time in front.

However, they undid all their good work early in the second period as they conceded a string of penalties and the Wizards duly took control.

Rangers old boy Carl Leach restored Warrington’s lead and he was soon followed over the line by Wes Lawton.

A further try from centre Danny Shaw compounded Rangers woes as the game went away from them in seven mad minutes and the contest was over when full back Chris Campbell added to the try tally.

Rangers full back Nathan Williams managed to pull a try back for Rangers and Johnson added his fourth goal, but there were further tries for Leach and Shaw, as well as one for winger Craig Middlemore as Warrington cruised to success.

Underbank Rangers: N Williams; Bellas, Johnson, Mitchell, Aka; Hawkyard, Antony; Smith, Caroll, Vinaka, Sharrock, C Williams, Dalby. Subs: Worthington, Lofthouse, Hinchliffe, Battye.