St Joseph's...19 Rangers....23

Guiseley Rangers faced a tricky Pennine Cup last 16 game away at Pennine Division Two leaders St Joseph's, at Fartown, Huddersfield, last Saturday.

Rangers started well on a wide pitch, and an Andy Hinchliffe break on ten minutes took him to within ten metres of the St Joseph line, and he dropped off a pass to the supporting prop forward Mike Smith who calmly placed the ball down behind the posts. Hinchliffe added the conversion.

Rangers were caught off-side soon after, and St Joseph's added the two points. A high up and under then hit the upright and, with the Rangers defence caught flat-footed, St Joseph's touched down, to edge in front. The

game flowed from end-to-end, and Rangers' pressure resulted in Simon Carbutt losing the ball over the line. Then Darren Clayton had a 'try' ruled out, the referee ruling no downward pressure.

Two converted penalties, and a drop goal, saw St Joseph's extend their lead to seven points, and then right on half-time a converted try saw St Jospeh's lead 19 - 6 at the break.

Player-coach Tony Smith's half-time talk seemed to do the trick as Rangers second -half display was excellent. Andy Hinchliffe's weaving run left several would-be tacklers for dead, before his pass to second row Peter

Smith reduced the arrears. Defensiveley, Rangers reduced St Jospeh's attacking options to next to nothing, and continued pressure from the Rangers saw Alex White drop the ball over the line before hooker Simon Carbutt chimed in with two very well taken tries, both converted, to see Rangers reclaim the lead.

A late drop goal from Andy Hinchliffe completed the scoring in a great victory for the away side, the second-half producing probably the best 40 minutes team performance from Rangers this season, taking them into the quarter-finals of the competition.

l On Saturday Rangers return to league action, when Odsal Sedbergh are the visitors to Nunroyd, kick-off at 2.30pm.

The Under-10's had an emphatic result at home to Keighley Cougar Cubs. This was a great team performance. Robert Butterfield's powerful run to the corner gave Rangers the lead. James Bottomley's weaving run increased the lead, but Cougars hit back just before the break.

Soon after, the score was level, but Rangers went from strength to strength, the running and tackling was excellent, and Robert Butterfield completed his hat-trick of tries.

Cougars replied again, but when the hard working Benjamin Lee went on a run to the line, the game was won. Oliver Watson and Benjamin Lee both added conversions. Coach Simon Parker's decision not to make any changes paid off, and this was a very welcome result.

This coming Sunday the Under-10's entertain West Bowling, kick off at 11.15 am.

The Under-9's fixture last weekend was cancelled. This coming Sunday they are away at Wibsey. Players and Parents meet at the Dressing Rooms at 9.30am.

The Under-8's played at Victoria Rangers, Eccleshill, last Sunday, and even though defeated, they were in determined mood. Captain for the day Nathan Thompson scored Rangers try, and the team kept playing right to the final whistle. Jonathan Bottomley was Player-of-the-Match, Dean Bowles was top tackler and Thomas Cree won the coach's award.

This Sunday the Under-8's entertain Keighley Cougar Cubs, 10.45 am kick-off.

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