Birkenshaw.......29

RANGERS..............8

Injuries, and a late withdrawal, hindered Rangers in their team selection for this top four clash. Dominic Henry and Simon Carbutt, in particular, were two influential players missing from the starting line-up.

Straight from the kick-off Rangers found themselves under pressure and, from an alleged ball-stealing in the tackle, the home side kicked the penalty to take a two point lead.

Soon afterwards, a basic handling error by Rangers led to a scrum from which Birkenshaw scored a try in the corner.

Rangers were not functioning, but when player coach Tony Smith was obstructed after kicking over the defence Andy Hinchliffe pulled back two points with the penalty, only for Rangers to soon fall further behind from a drop goal. Some

very poor defence allowed the home side to score another converted try, followed by another run-away try which put the game beyond Rangers' reach.

Craig McLoughlin of the Rangers forwards worked tirelessly throughout but support was hard to find from anywhere else. When Rangers did get within striking distance, the ideas were few and far between. Early in the second-half Birkenshaw scored two further tries and Rangers were now playing for pride.

Their best passage of play came in the final quarter, with two good drives and quick play the ball, good hands found centre John Beanland who scored near the posts, Andy Hinchliffe converting.

A late injury to Tony Smith halted the game for some time, but this was not a happy day for Rangers. The performance was not good but, with Illingworth also losing this weekend, Rangers still have a big part to play in the run-in.

l This Saturday Rangers are involved in another big game when they travel to Rotherham, of Division Two, for the quarter final of the Pennine Cup. A coach for players and spectators will leave Town Gate at 12.30pm prompt. All support will be most welcome.

The under-9's played at Holmfirth last Sunday against Underbank and lost 38-32. This was a very close game, Rangers coming more into the game in the second-half.

Try scorers for Rangers were Joshua Lee 2, Liam Cree 2, and Thomas Brearley and Jordan Clayton one each. Conversions by Christopher Kaye, Luke Exley, Jordan Clayton and Joshua Lee. This Sunday, a fixture is to be arranged, Parents please contact the Secretary.

The under-8's travelled to Queensbury with a player short but showed tremendous spirit against a stronger and more experienced side. Rangers led by 6-4 at half-time, due to a cracking try by Jonathan Bottomley, which he also converted.

Queensbury's bigger team got on top in the second-half but Rangers played right to the end, and every player came out of this game with credit.

Jonathan Bottomley's 25 tackles, and numerous hit-up's won him the Man-of-the-Match award, Nicky Hardwick received the tackler award, and Nathan Thompson won the coach's award.

The under 8's are without a fixture this weekend. The under 10's game against Elland last weekend was cancelled but it is hoped to be re-arranged for this weekend. Parents please contact the Secretary.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.