UNDERBANK SWEEP AWAY WARRIORS WITH SECOND HALF SHOWING

UNDERBANK RANGERS 60 HUNSLET WARRIORS 6
NCL 1 @ THE CROSS
4 JUNE 2017 --- 2.30PM

UNDERBANK UNDER WAY WITH CRAIG WILLIAMS GOING OVER

A stunning display from Underbank Rangers swept away their Leeds visitors with a 50-0 second period return after a tight first half had seen the home side go into the break 10-6 to the good.  The 'bank' completed 4 tries in one 7 minute period early in the second half and with pace playing a major factor Hunslet were swept away by the flow of Rangers play.
After making a rugby league debut in the Midland League last weekend by taking in Derby City today was the opportunity to make this seasons opening appearance in the NCL and is there a better place to watch the game than Underbank Rangers?  I was lucky enough to meet some of the officials and supporters last season at Milford and after visiting Underbank a couple of times in that period and following their super start to this new campaign, that sees them sat top of the first division, the pull on a sunny day was always going to be Holmfirth.


OBLIGATORY HOLMFIRTH PICTURE

As with cricket and football their are always clubs that make an impression on you and Underbank have always been a welcoming club with excellent views around this beautifully set ground, friendly people, a superb programme and excellent social media including a chap [Stephen] taking some superb pictures they are right up their in the well run stakes.
Departure from base at just before 11am would see a change at Sheffield with arrival at Honley meeting the 911 Stotts service awaiting for departure down the hill to Honley Bridge for the connection to Holmfirth.  As last year a day ticket at £3 allows travel to the ground and today there would be no time, sadly, for fish and chips in Holmfirth just a quick photo op before jumping the 310 up Dunford Rd which continues onto Scholes, Hepworth and Jackson Bridge a collection of villages that I intend to take a look at on a future visit.  Having set foot in the vicinity of the ground there was a little time to take in some of the views with an hour to kick off.

VIEW THROUGH THE POSTS

A nice welcome was received as ever with admission and programme claimed there was a short time to get the teams from the ever busy Neil Farrell and do a quick trip of the ground.  I wont repeat last seasons description except to say set on the top of Holmfirth, undulating pitch, quirky dug outs, sunny days must visit ground.

RICHARD KNIGHT CONVERTS THE OPENING TRY

Before the kick off it was lovely to catch up with Michael Nasey who remembered the blog from last season along with his former school mate Michael Crawshaw as ever we engaged in conversation about all things but mainly Underbank Rangers of course.  Of course much of the joy of arriving is the travelling and the beauty of the train journey from Penistone onwards is the open views of Emley Moor and Denby Dale from the viaduct but once atop Holmfirth it just continues and as both sides warm up families are congregating and playing behind the sticks.

CASEY CLARK INFLUENTIAL IN TODAYS PLAY

Table toppers Underbank are looking in good shape as is coach Richard Knight who was out practising his kicks and with American Casey Clark in todays line up I was a game that was already building up in atmosphere as the home side looked to continue their run.  The visitors were straight off of a loss to Shaw Cross Sharks a game that I part attended while covering Hunslet FC on an adjoining pitch two weeks ago.

HUNLSET IN POSSESSION FORGE FORWARD

The home side were quick out of the traps and took the lead on 9 minutes thanks to Craig Williams going over and Knight converting.  Much as you expected Underbank pushed on but they came under pressure from Hunslet and Garry McLelland went over allowing Daryl Gaunt to add the two points to level the scores on 25 minutes.  Ten minutes before the break Alex Chatterton's assist allowed Sam Ansell to go over in the corner this time Knight couldn't convert form a tight angle.  At the break it was 10-6 and all rather tight but many believed Hunslet may not be able to keep up their excellent first half performance.

BATTLE ROYALE

Well they were right as Underbank completed a sequence of tries all in close succession, here I have to say hopefully I'm not far off the mark with camera and note pad the 4 points were coming thick and fast!
It was Chatterton who went over the whitewash first 7 minutes in to make it 14-6, two minutes later Clark broke through from the half way and his pace gave him no need to off load before knight converted between the posts.  On 51 minutes Knight was putting the ball between the posts again following a pacey break from an Owen Restall try and as the remarkable sequence of scoring continued Williams got his second again breaking with pace and Knight converted to make it 32-6 and we were only on 53 minutes.

KRIS HARROP IN CONTROL FOR UNDERBANK

Ansell added 4 more points five minutes later before Luke Roberts went over between the posts for Knight to complete maximum points, 42-6.  Still Underbank were not done and Courtney Allette went over on the left with Richard Pogson taking on the kicking duties to convert.  As play meandered for 5 minutes we wondered had the scoring finished the answer came quickly Ansell went over again before Pogson topped up the total with the conversion and then with a minute remaining Billy Rogers got on the score sheet after a quick feed from Pogson who stepped up to do the honours and make the final score 60-6 in favour of Underbank.

UNDERBANK STARTING OFF FROM THEIR OWN HALF

Wow a whirlwind second half from the home side who were relentless you often don't see in sport teams that take a comfortable lead they regularly rest back on their laurels, not here Underbank under the coaching of Knight looked so determined.
The return journey to Honley is superbly catered for with the bus stop 20 yards outside the ground and the 10 minutes was spent in the company of an elderly gentleman and his daughter [sorry I didn't get your names] our conversations went around sports, travel and even Queens Park Chesterfield which had been attended for Yorkshire Cricket Club games versus Derbyshire, anyway as ever it just proved the friendly nature of this club and the people surrounding it.

BILLY ROGERS UNDERBANK RANGERS

Departure at Honley Bridge allowed for time to visit the Coop for some re stocking of hoppers delight sandwiches and pastries before the gentle incline to the station were the commanding views around Honley were admired before awaiting the train back to Sheffield and with a connection to base station we were arriving back over the border at 7pm.
As most will be aware Holmfirth is well worth a visit and you might as well tie a visit into Underbank Rangers on a match day too you wont be disappointed.