Rangers looking up after superb display

four conversion attempts, plus he added a penalty goal at the start of the second half.

With the sides scoring four tries apiece, Pogson’s goal kicking ultimately proved the difference on the scoreboard.

Rangers again had a reasonably settled side with Tom England replacing his brother Will in the 17, Dave Pawson returning to the squad after missing seven matches with a knee injury, Alex Chatterton recovering from a shoulder knock to take his place in the right centre, while Tom Stringer moved into the front row to cover for the unavailable Craig Williams.

After recent rainfall the game was played on a firm pitch and in a much cooler temperature than of late, with Underbank receiving the kick off.

Make no mistake, Rangers fully deserved the victory.

However, it was oh so different early in the game as Underbank found themselves in a full-on arm wrestle and after 30 minutes trailed 12-6.

With try-scoring opportunities at a premium and defences on top, the first half was tight, but Kells’ fiveeighth Tyrone Dalton had nipped in for two tries after feeding on Underbank dropped ball and missed tackles and, in between times, Underbank scored a try worth the admission fee alone as Will Broadbent-Allan fired a superb cut-out pass to left winger Courtney Allette who found centre Joey Bobbin on his inside, and the Aussie drew in the Kells’ full back before releasing lock forward Rochford on a searing 30m dash to the goal line.

The hosts looked more likely to add to their lead throughout the first period, but came up with a series of basic handling errors whilst in good attacking positions in the Rangers’ 20m area, and Underbank made them pay as on 31 minutes they levelled the scores.

Owen Restall crabbed across field looking for a gap and had the ball knocked out of his grasp, and while Kells appealed for the knock on, Moorhouse was first to react, scooping up the ball and crashing over the line in a three-man tackle.

After drawing level at the end of the first half Rangers were in the ascendancy, and look the lead for the first time in the game when Pogson coolly converted from 30m following an offside decision against Kells.

At this stage of the game Underbank were in complete control, Pogson kicking well, and the game was predominantly being played in the Kells half of the field.

However, the hosts regained the lead on 53 minutes through half back Dom Wear. Crucially he missed the conversion and this score stirred Underbank into action as they turned their dominance into points.

First, on 58 minutes, Rochford spotted a possible 3 v 2 on the short side of the ruck, darted out of dummy half handed on to Chatterton who gave his winger Ansell a clear run to the corner. Pogson superbly kicked the extras from the touchline.

Then full back Jakob Garside scythed through the home defence and as he approached the Kells full back found the trailing Chatterton with a well-timed pass and the veteran centre did the rest as he raced over. Pogson again converted.

Underbank suddenly lost their game management, and the home side could sniff a chance.

However, tremendous scrambling defence and a will to win saved the day on several occasions.

Kells did eventually cross for a try in the 78th minute through hard working David Lowery, and with the conversion kicked, Underbank led by only four points.

But after receiving a penalty, Kells marched into Rangers’ territory only to knock-on in the first tackle and the referee’s whistle blew for full time to end a pulsating game.

Lock forward Rochford was the unanimous winner of both the Rose & Crown Players’ Player of the Match and the Bengal Spice Man of the Match for his excellent work on both attack and defence, and he was pushed all the way by both Jakob Garside and Joey Bobbin.

Next weekend Underbank have a free date, but then entertain Normanton Knights on the Tuesday evening, July 31, with a 7.15pm kick off. HUDDERSFIELD Giants’ former Melbourne forward Ryan Hinchcliffe has revealed plans to take up a coaching role with his old NRL club as talks continue over his future in Super League.

Hinchcliffe’s three-year contract with the Giants runs out at the end of the season and, although both player and coach Simon Woolford have spoken about a new deal, no agreement has yet been reached.

Hinchcliffe, who turns turns 34 in October, made 177 appearances in his seven years with Melbourne, winning Grand Finals in 2009 and 2012 and World Club Challenges in 2010 and 2013, and says he plans to return to the club when he hangs up his boots.

“I am looking at going back to Melbourne when I finish and hopefully get involved with the club at some level,” he said.

“I still stay in contact with them. They are a good bunch of blokes and I shared some good times with them for seven or eight years.

“I’ve got to get my stuff sorted here first and see what happens after that.

“I’m still having some conversations with the coach and the football staff and trying to work some things out.

“Either way, if I stay or go, hopefully I’ll get something sorted in the next couple of weeks.”

Hinchcliffe, a hooker or loose forward, has missed only one of 24 league and cup matches so far this season for the Giants, who secured their place in the top eight of Super League with a 32-18 victory at Castleford last Friday.

They complete the regular round of matches with a home game against Wakefield this coming Friday.