Underbank Rangers ran in 13 thumping tries as they put East Leeds to the sword in a 74-6 victory.

The visitors put in plenty of effort but were totally ripped apart by a rampant Rangers whose clinical display followed on the back of similar results against Elland (60-4) and Millom (62-0) in the previous two home games.

Rangers scored nine tries and eight Luke Pogson conversions in the first half to open up an unassailable 52-0 half-time lead, but a succession of handling errors limited their chances of matching that in the second half, when they only added a further four scores, plus three more Pogson conversions, against a team running low on confidence and looking like they are nailed on for relegation to Division Two.

The big win greatly improved Underbank’s points difference and keeps them fifth in the 2016 NCL Division One league table, level on points with fourth-placed Featherstone Lions but just behind on points difference.

Underbank’s head coach Richard Knight hailed the 196 points accumulated in the past three games but also praised his side’s mean defence as they have conceded just 10 points during that same period.

Will England returned from injury on the left wing whilst Joe Gillespie made his debut at five eighth and Jordan Williams made his first appearance for the club since 2013.

Mitch Turner, Chris Druett, Tom Stringer, Josh Dixon, Jayden Covell-Wood, Dave Valentine, Stephen Berry and Lewis Peet were either injured or unavailable for the game.

Chris Druett of Underbank Rangers against Elland

Underbank had the perfect start as they regained their opening kick off and charged over for a converted try on the first play of the game.

The game was essentially over as a contest within 15 minutes as Rangers opened a 24-0 lead, with centre Alex Chatterton grabbing a pair of touchdowns, including a 80m interception, and Andy Boothroyd scooting from acting half back before selling an outrageous dummy to race over from 30m.

The lead was increased to 34 points before the half hour mark as Bravo was put through by Pogson’s perfectly timed inside pass and his field kick was touched down.

Then came the try of the match as Underbank scored on a free play following an East’s knock-on.

Gillespie picked up the ball and fed Courtney Allette who found Harrop on his outside with a peach of a pass. Harrop hared down the touchline before sending a great inside pass to the supporting Pogson, who did the rest.

A Jordan Williams scamper for a try followed a superb line break from Bravo and England then plucked out of the air a superbly weighted Pogson kick to the corner to complete the first half rout.

It was always going to be hard to follow that half of football, but Underbank did add a further 22 points.

Harrop, at acting half back, scooted through three would-be tacklers to bag the 10th score of the afternoon on 50 minutes; Gillespie crossed for a debut try following a Craig Williams ball steal; a runaway score followed an East Leeds knock-on on 72 minutes; and then, following a Boothroyd break, Michael Murphy fed Chatterton for him to complete his hat trick and round-off an outstanding performance in front of an excited and large attendance.

In between times East Leeds added a consolation score on 54 minutes as hooker Luke Tomlinson followed his own kick through to score with full back Tom Sheldrake adding the simple conversion.

Tomlinson, though, let his frustration get the better of him as he was dismissed for dissent shortly after he had scored.

Danny Bravo picked up the Bengal Spice Man of the Match award for the second consecutive game, but he was pushed hard by the immense Craig Williams, inspirational skipper Kris Harrop, and the ever creative Luke Pogson, who won the Rose and Crown Players’ Player.

Underbank’s next outing will be away at league leaders Thatto Heath Crusaders on Saturday (2.30). The coach will be leaving the club at 11am.