Birkenshaw................42

Guiseley Rangers....12

This was never going to be an easy game for

Guiseley, between the two sides promoted last year from Division One to the Premier League. Birkenshaw have settled the better at this higher level and are currently joint leaders at the top of

the table.

Nevertheless, Guiseley started this game full of confidence, and the first-half produced arguably the best 40 minutes of their season so far. Rangers' full-back Stuart Kay opened the scoring with a penalty after five minutes, following a high tackle.

They continued to call the shots, with some smart handling, deceptive running and strong tackling.

The lead was soon increased when, following some great passing through four pairs of hands, young winger Alex Bayfield crashed over in the corner.

The home team came back hard but good Guiseley defence restricted them to a solitary penalty goal before Rangers again attacked hard and a good build up ended when a kick through by Darren Clayton was seized upon by Liam Duffy for a try which Stuart Kay converted.

Right on half time the home team scrambled an unconverted try and at the break Rangers fully deserved their 12 - 6 lead.

Unfortunately, the second-half saw Birkenshaw take control from the start. A half-time rollicking certainly did the trick and their stronger and bigger pack of forwards took control of the game.

Rangers tried hard, but their defence could not cope as the home team ran in a further seven tries, four of which were converted.

Heavy though this defeat was, Rangers can take heart from their first-half display.

l On Saturday Rangers face one of their biggest ever challenges when they entertain Hensingham, from Whitehaven in Cumbria, in the League Express National Cup, kicking-off at Nunroyd at 2.00pm.

Thanks to all their sponsors they are producing a match programme for this game, and are looking forward to a good crowd to cheer the team on.

The under-11's fixture last Sunday was cancelled due to a frozen pitch, but the under-8's continued their unbeaten run with a 40-28 win away at West

Bowling. The defence had to work very hard to contain the big home forwards and they did the job really well.

Good handling and strong running saw Rangers run in eight tries, three for Luke Exley and one each for Nicky Hardwick, Edwin Clement, Thomas Cree, Dean Bowles and Nathan Thompson.

Jonathan Bottomley, Edwin Clement, Jack Darwin and Dean Bowles added one conversion each.

The Player-of-the-Match award was shared by Dean Bowles and Edwin Clement. Top Tackler was Harvey Marsden and the coach's award went to Thomas Cree.

l On Sunday, the under-8's are at home to Victoria Rangers, kick-off at 11.00am (Meet at 10.15 am) and the under-11's are away to Wibsey (Players and parents meet at the dressing rooms at 9.30am).