Amateur RL: Warrington Wizards have the edge over Underbank Rangers

A SEE-SAW battle finally tipped the way of Warrington Wizards as they overcame battling Huddersfield Underbank 35-20 in the RL Conference National at Wilderspool.

Rangers were weakened by the absence of Australian duo Nathan Williams and Tom Antony, but still started strongly as the Wizards lost both Matt Wilson and Alan Reddecliff to injury within the first 10 minutes.

Underbank opened the scoring after six minutes when loose forward Lee St Hilaire went on a weaving run and broke out of three attempted tackles on a 40m run to score.

However, three minutes later the Wizards were level when hooker Warren Ayres and second row Jono Smith sent centre Danny Shaw over in the right corner.

Warrington went ahead when scrum half Ryan Millington fired a bullet pass to substitute Anthony Braide who dived over and Ayres added the goal.

Winger Graham Healey got the next try and Ayres added a fine conversion, but Rangers’ Dave Valentine, St Hilaire and Sam Housley were all putting in great attacking stints as Rangers finished the half strongly.

Underbank were first to strike after the break when back-to-back penalties put them close to the Wizards line and after prop forward Valentine had been held just short, hooker Adam Carroll put substitute Victor Smith over under the posts.

Stand off Neil Barrett added the goal and then a chip ahead from hooker Carroll saw centre Shaun Mitchell palm the ball back to Barrett, who sent substitute Tom Sharrock crashing over. Barrett goaled to level the scores.

Underbank took the lead just after the hour mark when the ball was sent along the line to St Hilaire and he off-loaded to Mitchell who scored in the left corner. Barrett narrowly missed the touchline conversion attempt.

The Wizards responded on 65 minutes with an individual effort from Smith. Ayres converted to put the Wizards two points ahead and they sealed victory with tries from Craig Middlemore and Danny Burgan, plus two more Ayres goals and stand off Ian Stephenson landed a drop goal.

Underbank Rangers: Ryder; Allette, Chatterton, Mitchell, Aka; Barrett, Berry; Valentine, Carroll, Vinaka, Housley, St Hilaire. Interchange: Midgley, Sharrock, Bodsworth, V Smith.