Newly-promoted Underbank couldn’t have asked for a better start to their Pennine League Second Division campaign.
Any doubts they may struggle to compete at this level were swept away immediately as they won 34-22 at Littleborough.
And the victory was also achieved with an understrength squad, with availabilities meaning they made the trip with just 14 players.
On top of that, the visitors had three players on duty who haven’t played for two seasons due to long-term injuries in Marc Hirst, Nathan Lewis and Lucas France.
Rangers led 16-10 at half-time, with tries from Hirst (2) and Jamie Stringer and two conversions from Ollie Moorhouse.
They then remained ahead thanks to further tries from man-of-the-match Hedley Coldrick, Steve Woodcock and Tom Stringer to seal a super start.
There was also an encouraging start for new-look Slaithwaite, who opened their Division V campaign with a 32-32 draw at Hollinwood.
