Newly promoted Underbank Rangers just came up short against near neighbours Elland as they slipped to a 22-24 loss in the opening round of Rangers’ Kingstone Press National Confernce League Division One matches.
Centre Alex Chatterton crossed in the 78th minute and half back kicked his third conversion to set up a grandstand finish, but Underbank simply ran out of time as they tried to find the game clinching score.
Underbank were missing the influential half back Neil Barrett, winger Courtney Allette, centre Nathan Chappell and forwards Dave Valentine, Craig Williams, Luke Karolczuk who were all unavailable for the away trip.
As a result skipper Kris Harrop was switched to full-back, Mitch Turner replaced Chappell in the centre and Chris Druett started on the left wing.
Recent overseas signings Blake Hewitt and Dennis Tomarchio were named in the pack and Aisea Taholo took his place on the bench.
Elland took the lead after just three minutes on the clock as a last tackle grubber kick wasn’t defused and Thomas Harnett touched down for the hosts.
Left wing Joseph Nicholson added the extras and Elland lead 6-0.
Underbank hit back almost immediately as Luke Pogson threaded through a kick for Druett to pounce out wide.
Pogson couldn’t add the difficult touchline conversion but Elland then marched down the field and were awrded a penalty for interference at the play the ball and Nicholson duly scored.
Underbank were awarded three consecutive penalties and on the back of sustained pressure player-coach Richard Knight stepped through a stretched Elland defence to score. Pogson converted the try and Rangers took the lead at 10-8.
Elland responded immediately Liam Manning touching down his own kick through and then Luke Read scoring after a sweeping 60 metre handling move.
Nicholson kicked one conversion plus a penalty in between the tries as Elland finished the first period stronly and with a commanding 20-10 lead at the break.
The second half was a battle of attrition up front as both sides attempted to dominate the middle, and Rangers began to enjoy possession in good field position, and from one such incursion into Elland territory Knight put Hewitt though a big hole in the defensive line to race over in the 53rd minute.
Pogson added the conversion and Rangers were within four points of the hosts at 20-16.
However, Elland then stretched their lead to eight points as Nicholson out-jumped two Rangers defenders to grasp the crossfield kick and crash over.
The conversion was missed, but crucially Elland had a two score lead as the game entered the final 20 minutes.
Underbank through all they had at a tough and resilient home defence, but had to wait until Chatterton’s effort two minutes from full time to breach their opponents line, and set up the frantic finish that couldn’t yield another score for the battling Holmfirth side.
Rangers slipped to a disappointing defeat on the opening weekend of the campaign, but they know that with this is just week one of a long 26 round season and there will be nothing like a win against Wigan side Ince Rose Bridge next Saturday to get things up and running.
Underbank Rangers: Kris Harrop, Will England, Alex Chatterton, Mich Turner, Chris Druett, Richard Knight, Luke Pogson, Rob Joyce, Stephen Berry, Dan Farrand, Michael Murphy, Dennis Tomarchio, Blake Hewitt; Aisea Taholo, Lewis Peet, Jon Campling, Austen Barrowclough.
