Victoria Rangers 14 Illingworth 16

VICTORIA Rangers put in a huge display before being narrowly defeated in their Pennine League clash with Division One leaders Illingworth.

The visitors started strongly and were ahead after just eight minutes with a touchdown out wide following some questionable Vics defending.

Minutes later the Halifax outfit were over again, despite the attentions of three would-be Rangers tacklers, to extend their lead to 10-0.

The introduction of Mikey Boltwood, Ash Yarrow and Jordan Lambert sparked the home side into life.

Some big tackles from Boltwood, Yarrow and the impressive Josh Hattle laid the foundation for Vics to hit back through Cameron Foster, who narrowed the gap to 10-4.

The mid-table home side cut the deficit further when fine work by Oscar Woodhead found Joe Bell out wide and he strolled over.

With the half coming to a close, Rangers laid siege to the Illingworth line and, thanks to one of several penalties, were able to go in level 10-10 at the interval.

Vics started the second half as they finished the first and were rewarded with a second try from Foster, who crossed out wide to put his side 14-10 ahead.

The hosts continued to apply pressure to the Illingworth defence but were unable to capitalise due to regularly overplaying at key times.

As a result they were subsequently punished by their opponents, who took advantage of a refereeing mix up to score.

Vics continued to attack but amazingly, with the game all but up and having received a penalty under the sticks, chose a power play from which the ball was dropped and the game lost.

Yarrow took the man-of-the-match award, ably supported by Boltwood, Hattle and Woodhead.