Circumstances are certainly working against Guiseley Rangers lately. Hard enough as it is in the the Pennine League Premier Division, the non-availability of registered players is causing havoc with the fixture situation.

This season it was decided to run an 'A' team but the lack of support from too many players has meant that the 'A' team has been dis-banded. Hardest hit by this are the few players who made themselves available, and trained hard, only to be let down by their colleagues.

Last Saturday this 'bug' attacked the first team, who had to concede their fixture at Elland due to not being able to raise a team because too many players 'cried-off' at the last minute, leaving the club with no time available to call in replacements.

You cannot compete at Premier level with only ten players, and those players that did turn up deserve better support from their team-mates.

Next Saturday, the team is away to Clayton, with transport leaving Towngate at 12.30pm. This fixture has to be fulfilled otherwise the wrath of the Pennine League will hit the club very hard.

At junior level, the under-8's continued their great season with a 38 - 20 victory at Sowerby Bridge. Both teams played some excellent rugby, with strong tackling and great running. The try scorers for Rangers were Luke Exley (2), Johnny Bottomley (2), Jack Darwin, Nathan Thompson and Dean Bowles.

Conversions were by Dean Bowles, Johnny Bottomley,Jack Darwin, Harrison Durkin and Luke Exley. Player of the match was Johnny Bottomley, top tackler was Luke Exley and the coach's award was won by Nicky Hardwick.

The under-11's, weakened by some players being away on a cub weekend, travelled to

Deighton and. although losing heavily, did not let themselves, or the club, down. Try scorers for Rangers were Robert Butterfield (2) and Zoe Sample, with Benjamin Lee and Robert Butterfield adding conversions. Zoe Sample was player of the match and top tacklers were Joshua Lee and Robert Butterfield. The coach's award went to Jamie Thompson.

This coming Sunday, the under-8's are away to Keighley Cougar Cubs. Players and parents to meet at the Dressing Rooms at 9.15am. The under-11's are at home to Underbank, kicking off at 11.00am.

On the social front, The Juniors' Christmas Party is on Friday evening at 7.30pm, at Guiseley Cricket Club, and on Saturday night it is the turn of the seniors, when their Christmas Karaoke evening kicks-off at 7.30pm at Guiseley Conservative Club.

Horsforth edged out

Horsforth U-14s.........20

Churwell..................28

IN the early minutes of the game Josh Mooney opened the scoring with a try, converted by Ryan Jacons. In a highly competitive start to the game Danny Ireland replied with a 100 metre try for Churwell. At half-time the score stood at 6-16 to Churwell.

In the second-half Craig O'Neil hit back for Horsforth with a try between the sticks, which was converted by Ryan Jacobs. Bobby Wallis and Man of the Match Chris Pattison went over for a further two Horsforth tries.

Horsforth, despite being down to 12 men in the latter stages of the game, wrestled with poor playing conditions and a muddy pitch but could not overturn the half-time deficit leaving the final score Horsforth 20, Churwell 28. Chris Pattison and Josh Mooney led Horsforth's attacking line with top tackler Tom Hart leading the defence.

If you would like to start the New Year playing for Horsforth U14s, contact coach Dave Everett, 0113 2558996.