Restall star of the show as Rangers dig out late win at York
FOLLOWING Underbank Rangers’ heroics in reaching the Challenge Cup fourth round, few people predicted a close opening league game between the established Premier Division team and the promoted York Acorn.
And the way the first half developed into a 24-4 lead at the break for visiting Rangers, only a heavy defeat for Acorn could be envisaged.
However, in the second half they dominated field position, had all the momentum and scored at regular intervals to draw level at 30-30 on 75 minutes.
With the game looking like it was going to end in a draw up stepped Underbank’s Owen Restall to race 40 metres for the match winning score in the 79th minute.
It was Restall’s third try on the day in a dominant display from the full-back position that broke the heart of a spirited York side that probably deserved at least a share of the points.
Making their debuts for Underbank were new signings winger Matteo Di Maio Zaffino and centre Jason Crookes in for the injured duo of Jamie
Stringer and Jakob Garside. Sam Rochford moved up from the bench to start at hooker for the unavailable Ryan Maneely.
Steven Lockwood took Rochford’s place on the bench alongside Nathan Robinson on season debut after returning from his 2019 stint in Australia with the Bombala Blue Heelers.
Owen Restall was selected as the unanimous winner of both the Bengal Spice Man of the Match and the Red Lion Inn Players’ Player of the Match for his typically strong running performance.
■■Underbank are at home next Saturday with a 2.30pm kick off against Cumbria’s Wath Brow Hornets.