UNDERBANK Rangers picked up their seventh straight National Conference League III victory running out 38-12 winners over struggling Bristol Sonics.
But there was no repeat of the 62-0 romp that Bank handed to Sonics in the reverse fixture last month, as Rangers had to battle hard to come from behind.
Hooker Harry Marson opened the scoring for the hosts before Aaron Pearson touched down to give Bristol real hope at half-time.
But Alex Chatterton, Adam Ryder and James Usher all went over with player-coach Richard Knight and Jayden Covell-Wood each grabbing a brace to ensure Bank left a rain-swept Little Stoke Park with three points.
Bank sit third in the Conference League III six points behind leaders Hemel Stags with two games in hand.
The home side started the brighter as great defensive work denied Rangers a route through before some smart attacks caught Rangers unaware.
Marson capped off a dangerous move by exploiting the gaping Bank defences and he picked a way through, touching down after an impressive 30 metre run.
This proved a telling wake-up call for the reigning champions and Chatterton soon found the form that inspired his impressive performance last week as he brushed off some ineffective tackling to touch down – stand off Neil Barrett converted to draw Rangers level.
An impressive break on the 20 minute mark pushed Underbank into the lead.
Quick hands from Barrett, Nick Briggs and Covell-Wood set Ryder free and he raced 40 metres to go over.
Bank began to turn on the style and threatened to run out of sight before the interval as Usher accelerated through Bristol’s defence unchallenged to go touch down beneath the posts.
However, Bristol’s response was swift and Jordan Williams’ knock-on from the kick-off allowed Sonics to press Bank’s line before Pearson managed to bustle his way over.
But as the hosts were seemingly finding their feet again, Chatterton managed to flick out a one-handed offload to Covell-Wood who crashed over in the corner.
Ranger’s Jay Senior was sin-binned before the hour for persistent foul play, but the 12-men were not hampered as Covell-Wood crossed for his second try.
Head coach Knight then went over twice and killed any hopes of a late Bristol surge.
Underbank are in action tomorrow as they take on Bramley in a rearranged fixture at The Cross (7.30pm).
Underbank: Will Midgley; Jayden Covell-Wood, Alex Chatterton, Adam Ryder, Courtney Allette; Neil Barrett, James Usher; Dave Valentine, Steve Berry, Jordan Williams, Sam Coyne, Nick Briggs, Kris Harrop. Subs: Lee St Hilaire, Richard Knight, Matt Larder, Jay Senior
