UNDERBANK Rangers coach Ritchie Hawkyard is confident his side will return to winning ways at home to Featherstone Lions tomorrow (2.30).
The Holmfirth-based club are still smarting from their narrow 24-20 Conference National defeat at Dewsbury Celtic a week ago when they were denied by a late try.
That came on the back of an excellent home display against leaders Celtic Crusaders Colts when they drew 24-24 to become the first team this season to take a point off the Welsh pacesetters.
And Hawkyard is confident a repeat performance this weekend would be enough to see his side get back on track.
“Last week proved to be very disappointing,” he said.
“After getting a point against Celtic Crusaders the week before we were confident of kicking-on against Dewsbury.
“But for a second time this season, we played well for large parts of the game but ended up losing the game after letting our opponents grab a late winning try.
“We did it against Bramley and now we’ve done it against Dewsbury Celtic. I don’t want us to do it for a third time.
“The key tomorrow is to make sure we take a lead and hold on to it, which I know we are capable of doing, particularly if we play like we did against the Crusaders.”
Hawkyard is boosted by the return of prop Jason Southwell (work), winger Lee St Hilaire (hamstring) and half-back Matt Garside (ankle) who missed the Dewsbury game.
However he could be without fellow half-back Graham Charlesworth, who is on stand-by to play in a trial game for his local professional club, Halifax.
“Graham has been great for us in the past few weeks,” admitted Hawkyard, who doubles up as a player at National League II club Swinton Lions.
“We’ll certainly miss a player of his quality, but in Matt (Garside) I know I have the ideal replacement.
“I know he’ll definitely rise to the occasion and can play a big part in making sure we pick up the win we need.
“And with Jason and Lee also returning I think we’ve got a strong look to the squad.”
