GATESHEAD STORM COME OUT ON TOP AT CASTLEFORD PANTHERS

CASTLEFORD PANTHERS 16 GATESHEAD STORM 32
NCL DIVISION 3 @ RAGLAN GROUND
30 JULY 2016 --- 2.30PM

The visitors from the north east Gateshead Storm came out on top in this basement battle with Stephen Welton scoring 2 tries and 4 conversions allowing a gap to open up between the two clubs.  This was a determined game from both sides with the first half starting well for Panthers before 2 tries in 3 minutes gave Storm the edge at the break.  In the second 40 minutes the score line once again favoured the visitors but the home side had put up a determined effort with a fair amount of possession which on another day may have seen them score more points than they did today.
Castleford Panthers had been a club that the blog had wanted to cover for a little while and today seemed like a good option with the chance of a close game,  Panthers in bottom spot were too take on second bottom Gateshead Storm who were just 2 points ahead of the Cas based side.  Both sides could only muster 5 winds before today between them and this would be a super chance of Panthers catching their nearest rivals.

WELCOME TO CAS, AGAIN

Having stopped myself from re visiting Underbank again this weekend, somewhere I could easily have  gone to with the enjoyment I have gained from this friendly club, I connected at Sheffield with the Castleford bound train.  A smooth arrival at just after noon of course allowed a visit to one of the blogs favourite Chippys, Hoppys Off The Hook, quick diversion under the railway line and 100 yards on is the emporium.  As with a few weeks ago fish, chips and pea fritter were ordered and prepared by Angela with Hoppy again not in residence.  Time to be reparative they were delicious and come recommended and yes for those who are now asking 'he's not going to show a picture of them again is he'?  The answers yes..........

SMALL LUNCH TIME SNACK

A steady amble around the town centre we were soon off on a steady 20 minute walk to the ground having located Raglan Close we opted to walk to the end of the road, Three Lane Ends, but were soon on the return route to a smart club house were we sampled a beverage.  The club house also had a snack bar which probably had one of the better menus indeed some clubs don't do hot food that's why we eat away from the ground but at Panthers you can certainly get your fill.

SMART CLUB HOUSE AT CASTLEFORD PANTHERS

Having secured a photocopied team sheet from the home clubs secretary we set off on a walk around the ground, the car park and playing area is separated by Herres fencing and the whole standing area is grass with smart pole barriers separating spectators from the playing area.  The clubhouse end also has a nice little scoreboard which is installed just before kick off and taken down at the end of the game.  The far end is an area that is not accessible but todays crowd of around 50 were not in need of any more standing areas.  Before the kick off there were a few number changes on the team sheet and thankfully the changes were gained from referee Andrew Barnaby after the game.
Before the start of the game we made a short cut visit to have a look over the River Calder and the nearby boat yard to let Mick purchase is favourite canal barge.
A long journey for Gateshead storm and indeed one of the players mum and dad who had travelled from ulverston to watch him today.

[As ever any changes of names I will make later today was a little complicated with team numbers changed just before kick off, the visitors number being quite difficult to read and two of their players suffering ripped shirts that were replaced by non original number, there my excuses anyway]
They would have been happy with the visitors starting strongly in the first ten minutes but against the run of play the game changed with Panthers taking a 10-0 lead after 14 minutes Nathan Tomlinson went over before Jordan Holder followed up by a Jordan Harper conversion on 19 minutes secured this lead.

Two tries in three minutes both of which were converted saw Storm overtake the home side to lead 12-10.  On 26 minutes Andy Morris ran half the pitch and his pace took him over the whitewash for Stephen Welton to convert.  Then on 28 minutes Welton was supplier of the four points and the additional 2.  Gateshead were now in the ascendancy and extended their lead with Welton again going over the line to make it 16-10 to Storm at the break.

HALF TIME SCORES ON THE BOARD

Within 2 miutes of the re start a lovely flowing move saw Luke Banham go over, before the visitors went 26-10 to the good with a Matty Banning breakaway from his own half  before Welton added his third conversion.
In the last 20 minutes the game got a little tetchy but Panthers were not lying down and it is to their full credit the determination they showed in taking the game to the visitors.  The deservedly lessened the gap on 77 minutes when Tomlinson got his second try crashing over in the far corner with Harper adding the extra points.

SCOTT WOODS SETS OFF FOR GATESHEAD STORM

In time added on Storm again extended their lead with a Matty Banning try that Welton converted.
A steady little game with a score line that was a little harsh on Panthers but the visitors will be more than happy that their long journey was rewarded with two points and a fourth win of the season.
The return journey was again a smooth one trains on time and with a comfortable change at Sheffield base station was arrived at around 1830hrs. 

REFEREE ANDREW BARNABY GIVES A CLEAR SIGNAL

UNDERBANK UP TO FIFTH WITH BIG WIN OVER MILLOM

UNDERBANK RANGERS 62 V MILLOM 0
NCL LG 1 @ THE CROSS GROUND
23 JULY 2016 --- 2.30PM

Underbank Rangers scored a big win to nil with Richard Pogson starring with a try and 9 conversions to give the Holmfirth based side the 2 points that takes them up to the heady heights of 5th in the table. 
Revisits for the blog often happen to local grounds in both football and cricket and of course Lock Lane in Rugby League, our original introducers to the NCL, but Underbank Rangers had an enchanting pull that after the game 3 weeks ago had both of us lining up a return soon.  Today with the forecast of dry weather on a Saturday, I know, and the chance to leave the coats at home and re visit this glorious part of Yorkshire it was off to the Holme Valley again.  For new viewers the ground was covered three weeks ago for the visit of Ince Rose Bridge so this blog will not cover to much of ground details needless to say its a unique playing surface with a steady little club house but its selling point are the views and its welcoming officials and supporters.
The day from base station was fraught with queues at the ticket desk with one window open so much so that we hopped on the train to Sheffield and decided to purchase there, again confronted by a line of waiting potential passengers we waited and did secure tickets for our full journey just before the Huddersfield train pulled into its platform.

HOLMFIRTH IN VIEW

After Penistone the rolling hills of the Holme Valley and Emley Moor TV mast were looking splendid in the English sunshine and upon departure at Honley station the temperature wwas really hotting up.  Thankfully as mentioned in our previous blog on Underbank the Stotts 911 service was waiting for the journey to the village driven by the same friendly employee as before.

GUIDE LEAFLET ON HAROLD WAGSTAFF

Connection made to Holmfirth we made sharp movement to the library information centre to pick up the Harold Wagstaff walk leaflet.  In the previous blog we mention Wagstaff as The Prince Of Centres who signed for Huddersfield as a 15 year old and played for England at 17.  Before we took in some of the historical points of his life we passed the artist Ashley Jacksons studio and managed to see him while peering through the window and avoiding smeering the window with our noses.  First point of call was to walk the steady inkline to the delightfully named Upperthong and St Johns church were we managed to locate Bill 'Compo' Owen whose final resting place is in the town were he spent so much time in filming the massively successful Last Of The Summer Wine TV series.


NORA BATTY'S BEHIND THE BLUE DOOR

The delightful, now downhill, return saw us cross over the valley road to Nora Batty's house in the series and an quick look around the gift shop which was Compo's house in the long running show.  The most important call of the day fish and chips from the Hallowgate Fisheries which were eaten as part of an endurance test climbing a 1 in 3 up to Cemetery Rd to locate Harold Wagstaff's final resting place as part of the leaflet tour.  A beautiful view back down into Holmfirth was afforded here and the local houses have some fantastic visions in sight of the all seasons that affect this part of Yorkshire.

PUMP OLE WHERE HUDDERSFIELD SIGNED WAGSTAFF

Back down in Holmfirth we started at the bottom of Dunford Rd by the Pump Ole where Wagstaff signed first played for his mates side of the same name.  Moving onto Underbank Rangers before signing near his house in a local hostelry for Huddersfield for 5 gold sovereigns.
 
We decided to climb up the steep road to the ground as half way up we would pass his home on a selection of houses that formed mini terraces that not only side on with houses but also split down the middle and the back sections carry different number with their doors set at a lower floor level.

HAROLD WAGSTAFFS FORMER HOUSE

An amazing look back on old times and the formulation of houses around this mill town.

DANNY BRAVO STORMS THROUGH

We were soon arriving at The Cross Ground on a red hot afternoon and a warm welcome was nice with Neil Farrell helping with teams and a nice greeting for which we thank you.  Admission is very reasonable and the programme as ever a big credit to the club, if this is of importance to you wont be disappointed here.

THE LIMITED EDITION MILLOM SHIRT FOR ISAAK

While in the bar we met a couple of Millom fans who had made the lengthy journey down from the village that lies about 7 miles to the north of Barrow In Furness.  The club are the oldest amateur rugby league club in the world being formed in 1873 and although struggling at second bottom in the league at present have a proud history.  Fellow traveller Mick was taken by the Millom supporters shirts which are a limited edition and aim to educate about autism and we learn a little more about one of the players son Isaak who has a FB page 'Isaak's world living with Autism' set up to tell us more about this young mans achievements.  Great idea and the club have raised money to aid Isaac well done on the shirts a credit to rugby league guys.
We also met before during and after the game Valdi from Halifax who was making his first visit alongside his support of The Pennine League too, good to meet you today.

So with an arrival just over half an hour before the kick off we arrived with little time before the start after last weeks big win over Elland the home side were looking to amass some points to help their push up the league.

REFEREE TOM SCOTT AND HIS TOUCH JUDGE IN CLOSE VIEWING

But after the first 1/4 of an hour non had appeared and Millom were more than holding their own and it looked like it could be a tight game.  Unfortunately for the visitors by half time they were 34-0 down.  On 17 minutes Kris Harrop went over but missed the conversion however the latter was not to be heard again for the rest of the half with 5 kicks successfully completed to add to the tries from Chris Druett, Danny Bravo, Tom Stringer, Dominic Horn and Michael Murphy.

When the scoring started it was proving hard for the visitors to defend their line and after an encouraging start you had to feel a little sorry that they were so far behind after their efforts.
The second half saw Pogson add a try after 65 minutes and a conversion to make it 58-0, before this he had successfully kicked 3 more time previously in the second half.  These adding the 2 points to tries from Courtney Allette, Michael Holmes and Jaydon Cavell Wood.  There was still time for a last minute try from Dominic Horn for his second to make it 62-0.  A couple of sin bins in the last 10 minutes Mitchell Turner for the Rangers and Ethan Kelly for the visitors on the stroke of time.

In the end a one sided game which with a little more luck at times could have seen the visitors get on the board.  A solid effort from Underbank who now rise up the table to 5th and must be bringing a lot of happiness to coach Richard Knight as the team and his players push on in the development of the club.
A non rushed departure from the ground allows us comfort break time before picking up the bus right outside the ground to Honley and after a stop at the Coop for provision we walked the steady incline, its all hills around here, to the station only to discover the train was about 15 minutes late.  Still it was a nice afternoon with some commanding views to take in an time passed very nicely. 
On  train buffs obscure note we entered and left from platform 2 at Barnsley station the normal up departure zone but  were soon in Sheffield for our departure and back at base station just after 7pm courtesy of a XCountry train upon, wait for it, we got a seat!  Does it get any better?
Great day cant wait to go to Underbank again!

MINERS DIG DEEP TO HANG ON TO WIN AT LOCK LANE

CASTLEFORD LOCK LANE 20 V LEIGH MINERS RANGERS 22
NCL PREMIER @ LOCK LANE
16 JULY 2016 --- 2.30PM

LEIGH MINERS RANGERS IN POSESSION AT LOCK LANE

A tight game with an enterprising second half comeback from Lock Lane very nearly overhauled the visitors after Leigh Miners had stormed to a 20-8 half time lead courtesy of 2 Todd Fenlon tries.
This weekend brought no weather worries, for a change, and the first visit to Lock Lane was planned always an important part of the NCL rugby league viewing because this is were it all started when we started our meander into to NCL three seasons ago.  Since then we have visited once or twice each season and indeed have covered the ground before needless to add not too much has changed with the large leisure centre building dominating the site with the bar area offering an excellent viewing gantry, especially on bad weather days.  The rest of the ground is as per most NCL clubs grass standing a couple of dug outs and in Lock Lanes case floodlights.

The journey was relatively event less although Northern Rail did have to replace a train for our departure from Sheffield to Castleford after out first change from base station.  Upon arrival in Cas we walked 200 yds away from the ground under the railway tunnel to Hoppys off the Hook fish shop.  This purveyor of good food was discovered last season on a trip to Glasshoughton when we met Mark the owner and I have followed the businesses development from afar.

HOPPYS FISH AND CHIPS WITH PEA FRITTER!

Today Mark was having a day off and we were greeted by Liam and Angela who served us a superb fish with chips and batter bits, indeed having an appetite I added one of Hoppys delicacies a mushy pea fritter.  Walking back to the station we were stopped by revenue protection who asked us about the establishment and I think they booked themselves in for a few later on.  Oh and yes we both managed to complete our boxed meals!

LOCK LANE AND NEARBY 'BIG' NEIGHBOURS TIGERS

A walk from a sunny Cas found the town buzzing with people and a very active indoor and outdoor market which was encouraging to see.  We had a little time to take a look at the nearby canal and its lock serving the Calder and Aire, before moving back to the ground and upon paying our admission and receiving todays programme we popped upstairs to the bar for a lemonade.
The visitors from Leigh would be looking for a win as they sat in third place and following last years title I guess they would hope to repeat that effort again while Lock Lane for so long pushing at the top of the table are finding it a little difficult this season in the form table.
[As ever bear with me on names I will double check when published, camera and notes etc]
Lock lane went into  a 4-0 lead when Lewis Price went over in the first minute but it was the Miners who came back strong to lead 10-4 thanks to Will Ashworth and Fenlon the latters try converted by Johhny Youds.  Lock Lane responded with Paul Brown going over the whitewash to make it 8-10.

LANES ROB FIRTH CHARGES THROUGH

The visitors then started to pull away with Fenlon and Lee Gittens each adding 4 points before a late first half penalty made it 8-20 at the break. 
During the first half referee Harry Neville had the strange experience of dismissing one of Lock Lanes coaching staff who had gone off to recover a ball cleared out of the ground and upon return something appeared to have been said.

REF NEVILLE GETS THE CARDS OUT

There was a danger of Lock Lane being on the wrong side of a big defeat but never doubt the resilience of rugby league players and Lock Lane came back through Adam Garlick and a Connor Turner conversion.  The visitors nestled a penalty into the action to take the score to 14-22 and then to set up a grandstand finish Aaron Dobek touched down for Turner to convert again 20-22 with 7 minutes to go.

A determined push from Lock Lane very nearly got them back into a game they looked out of at half time but Leigh Miners Rangers held strong to secure the points.
A word on todays officials referee Harry Neville, who we had seen a few weeks ago at Milford, and touch judges Dougie Martin and Ryan Whitworth who had excellent games.  Indeed Mick had got into conversation with one of the touch judges dad with whom it was as ever a pleasure to talk sport with.  Also during todays game we got into conversation with a fellow non league football hopper from Worcestershire a pleasure and our appetite has been encouraged for a visit to this area next season for some new grounds.
A steady walk back through the town for a few provisions saw is board the Sheffield bound train just shy of 5pm and with a quick change for the train to base station where we arrived at around 6.20pm.
Good to revisit an old friend in Lock Lane and enjoy a tight game plus some excellent fish and chips to be recommended if you are visiting Castleford.

BUSY AFTERNOON IN CAS

PRE SEASON FOOTBALL GOALS AND MORTON CCC WIN

PINXTON V BORROWASH VICS 3-3
PRE SEASON FRIENDLY @ EASTWOOD COMM FC
MORTON COLLIERY CRICKET CLUB V WEST HALLAM WHITE ROSE CC
@ BACK LANE MORTON
9 JULY 2016 1200 AND 1.30PM [2.45PM START]

FOOTBALL BACK UNDER WAY PINXTON [BLUE] V BORROWASH VICS

A pick and mix of a Saturday sport extravaganza saw the blog take in a pre season game on Eastwood Community FC's new 3g pitch and then a cracking little game of cricket closer to base on this rain affected day, yet again.
The blogs intention was to cover rugby league again but with horrendous weather forecast again the decision was made after a morning approaching 3 hours of heavy rain to take in an early pre season game just over the border in Nottinghamshire with 2 Derbyshire sides undertaking an early kick off at 12 noon.

The ground has been covered before and twice over the last few months in relation to the excellent new 3g development and today it came into its own allowing this game to take place when a few others were called off due to the wet stuff.  When will it not rain on a Saturday, indeed West Hallam CC had tweeted the forecast for raining saying 'it must be Saturday'.
The pitch of course would have no problems and the amount of rain was evident as the rain had drained off well to part of the terracing which had been left with a small pond.

EARLY SEASON 'WORD'

Teams are rarely available for pre season games and although some players were known to the blog I wont bother to name them in fear of getting some of the unknown ones wrong.  Needless to say this game was a little cracker with no shortage of tackles and goals to enjoy.  A penalty gave Pinxton the lead before Borrowash came back to lead 2-1 at half time. 
The second half was a tantalising affair and after Vics extended their lead to 3-1 it looked all over for the CMFL outfit.  But Pinxton were resilient and puled it back to 3-3 even though Borrowash struck the bar the game ended in a fair draw that I believe both sides would have seen as a very good competitive work out.
During the second half I had kept a check on the local cricket and with most clubs falling foul to the morning downpour I wasn't hopeful but there was the little beauty Morton Colliery Cricket Club taking off the covers and working on the square and outfield.
There was a 2nd and even 3rd game here at Eastwood the 2.30pm kick off was tempting with Eastwood Community taking on Belper Utd.  But the challenge was on at just after 1.30pm take the gamble and get back to Morton for some cricket that looked likely to play.  A dash and 25 minute walk saw the blog arrive at Back Lane just after 3pm and with a delayed start at 2.45pm not too much had been missed.

MORTONS ASH CAUNT ON HIS WAY TO 56

Morton Colliery Cricket Club was covered just 2 weeks ago and since then the weather had once again frustrated them so they were keen to get the game on and club officials and players, yes players had got down to the ground from mid morning to all lend a hand in ground works.  A real credit to the club well done guys this makes a real change and you secured a great result too.  The ground was covered in the blog 2 weeks ago so I wont re cover that apart from saying by the early evening when the weather brightened this lovely ground started to come into its own.
Once again the club officials here were welcoming and for any local sport fan I can only recommend you pop down and take look at a game and enjoy the surroundings and enthusiasm of Morton Cricket Club.

HARRY WILMOTT IN DEFENSIVE MODE

To the game and even though it was reduced to 35 overs Morton managed to secure a fantastic total of 217 for 6.  A slow but cautious start set the base Ash Caunt opening secured 56 and then at number 5 the whirlwind that is vice captain David Greaves hit his maiden county league century.  That doesn't really sum it up because in a game of stats it was some achievement scoring 117 not out in 65 minutes from 60 balls with 11x4 and 7x6.  A deserved standing ovation and some tea was called for before returning to the field to opening the bowling.

DAVID GREAVES RECEIVES A STANDING OVATION FOR HIS 117 NOT OUT

The enjoyable day continued for Greaves with an early wicket and then a boundary catch to add to his efforts with the bat.  West Hallam White Rose were going well with South African Overseas player Thabo Masheshemane looking well set but a sharp catch from Mitch Adlington off of Brad Clarke took the vital wicket and from then on in it was advantage to the home side.  The visitors fell to 128 all out in the 29th over and Morton had gained 25 points in the only game of the day in Division 2.

DISMISSAL OF WEST HALLAMS OVERSEAS PLAYER SEES MORTON PLAYERS CONGRATULATE ONE ANOTHER

What felt a mix and match sports day was provided with an excellent pre season friendly and a great close to the early evening with a cricket match that completed without the weather denying a victory.

UNDERBANK STORM PAST INCE ROSE BRIDGE

UNDERBANK RANGERS 52 V INCE ROSE BRIDGE 20
NCL DIVISION 1 @ THE CROSS
2 JULEY 2016 --- 2.30PM [ACTUAL 2.50PM]

A storming first half performance from Underbank Rangers saw them reach the break 30 points to the good without reply and although the second half was better from the visitors the damage was done with the home side sneeking the score line again running out 52 - 20 winners overall.
The blog had seen Rangers at Milford Marlins a few weeks ago and head coach Richard Knight had suggested a visit for a 'club like no other' and indeed a Milford player had tweeted after a recent game that he had never before been sea sick on a rugby ground before.

HOLMFIRTH WITH A FRESH RAIN SHOWER IN EVIDENCE

Fairly early set off from base station saw a change at Sheffield before a departure at Honley Station short of Huddersfield for a bus to Holmfirth home of Underbank Rangers.  The line to Huddersfield is really pretty especially after Penistone and upon departure was made better by an awaiting link bus the 911 from Stotts whose driver took us onto the connection in the village and advised me of a cheaper ticket that would do the job for us today.  It wasn't too long before the 314 dropped us off in Holmfirth where we made a hasty look around and while trying not to make any references to The Last Of The Summer Wine TV show, of course it was futile and we failed miserably.  Chips today were gleaned from Hollowgate Fisheries and were of good standard before departing back to the small bus station there was a photo op at Sids Café.

SAY NO MORE

Up the hill to The Cross Ground saw the bus deposit us just a few yards past the grounds reverse track entrance indeed the return is even better with the bus stop directly opposite the entrance.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE CROSS GROUND

The ground is situated in the most beautiful of countryside high up over Holmfirth and as previously hinted at the pitch floats and dips away all over but it is well looked after and indeed has had a trim yesterday in a window of opportunity when the wet stuff wasn't making an appearance.

BACK TOWARDS THE CLUBHOUSE

To our left is a club house with changing rooms built in the 1950s this side is railed off but the remainder of the ground is not.  The bottom side of the ground behind the sticks is stone walled off along the opposite side the same boundary applies and on this side are a couple of smart dug outs with between theses a style type wooden ladder for ball retrieval from the neighbouring field.

FROM THE POSTS LOOKING TOWARDS ENTRANCE

Behind the posts at our entry point is an adjacent farm which is often seen in pictures of this ground.
So mini tour completed and we popped into the bar for soft drinks were there are as at most rugby league clubs a lot of history reminders.  Here Underbank and Holmfirth have a famous son in Harold Wagstaff who played for the club in 1905/6.  Born in 1891 he went onto sign for Huddersfield in 1906 to play on the then entitled Northern Union putting pen to paper at just 15 years and 175 days old indeed he made his England debut at just 17 years and 288 days old.

HAROLD WAGSTAFF UNDERBANK RANGERS, HUDDERSFIELD AND ENGLAND

During todays warm welcome from club officials I also learnt that the TV programme Where The Heart Is filmed their rugby league scenes at the ground something you may catch as the series seems to be re shown on Freeview regularly.  Having purchased a few drinks at the bar we popped back out to pay ourselves in and get the excellent programme once again meeting a friendly welcome from the gateman and assistant indeed this was the overriding impression gained at Underbank, a friendly welcoming club.

SMART DUG OUTS AND THE VIEWS

Two quick promotions for Underbank had seen them plying their trade at Divison 1 and nicely holding their own and todays visitors Ince Rose Bridge would be a tough test with both sides situated close by in the table.  The game however did suffer a delayed start with the visitors not arriving until 2.15pm.  So we kick off 20 minutes late and by the time the first 10 minutes had been completed it was the visitors who looked stronger.

EARLY ACTION FOR RANGERS PHYSIO LAURA WILSON

[Bear with any errors here they will be amended if there are any its always difficult with a camera and getting numbers too, thanks]
Something though changed and by half time 'bank' were 30-0 to the good.  First over was Alex Chatterton with Richard Pogson converting after 11 minutes and then a few minutes later in the opposite corner Jaydon Covell-Wood went over the whitewash Pogson just missing the conversion.  Underbank were 16 to the good on 22 minutes Kris Harrop kicked on and went over after an error from the visitors with Pogson this time converting.  Still the scoring kept coming and Josh Dixon touched down from 'banks number 7 to add to his conversions after 27 minutes.

DAVE VALENTINE IS STOPPED

Ince Rose Bridge would have felt hard done by shortly afterwards when Robbie Valentine twisted to touch down but the touch judge failed to see this and the referee could not award what was a clear try.
Insult was added to the visitors felt injury when before the break Tom Eidson twice went over in the corner to make it 30-0 at the break.

RICHARD POGSON LINES ANOTHER CONVERSION UP

The visitors started strongly in the second period when Peter Valentine kicked on and went over for Robbie Valentine to convert.  However Rangers were straight back on the attack with Covell-Wood goind over for Pogson to add the two points.  As play swung from end to end it was the visitors turn next with Keiron Murphy adding four more points in the corner after 53 minutes to make it 36-10.
Four minutes later Alex Chatterton gave the home sides reply as he went over the line with Pogson missing the conversion.  It was not long before Pogson was converting Adam Ryder's try to make it 46-10.

Still Rose wouldn't lie down with Tony Barker feeding Robbie Valentine the latter converting to make it 46-16 and although with 4 minutes to go the same partnership secured maximum a try again for the visitors that wasn't before Pogson had gone over between the sticks and converted for Underbank.

There were a couple of sin bin's for the visitors in the second half for Martin Greaves and Brad Roden which didn't help the visitors cause although you had to admire their fortitude in the second half as they came back into a 40 minutes they could have lost heavily.
This had been a great game for the home side with lots of points and a second half that saw the visitors come back with a real fight to gain something from the game. 
Many stars today but I have to include Frankie Lee Underbank Rangers supporter who cheered on every player and set for the home side a character for sure well supported today by Grace, whose other half was turning out for Rangers, who made up this mini team of encouragers, go for it!

FRANKIE LEE [RIGHT] AND GRACE TODAYS SUPPORTING 'A' TEAM

Great characters at this club summed up by the above and the community feel surrounding the set up in the most beautiful of surroundings if you have never visited Underbank Rangers do it you will not be disappointed.
The late start meant that we had to depart sharpish at the end if we were not to be delayed for the train and the adjacent bus stop was a blessing as we were soon on our way to Honley to arrive back with half an hour to walk back to the single platform station.  It had all gone so well today until we arrived for our change in Sheffield with an emergency on the line and trains being delayed we popped outside for a bus to base town with added about 3/4's of an hour to the journey finally arriving back at 8.15pm.
With danger of repeating the blog very rarely fails to enjoy a sporting visit to old and new grounds but todays at Underbank Rangers saw a little gem appear for the blog its right up at the top thoroughly enjoyable and I look forward to visiting again very soon!