Collapse of Carlisle is expensive.

Byline: Doug Thomson ,

Underbank Rangers were dealt a double blow to their National III campaign.

The withdrawal of Carlisle from the LHF Healthplan-sponsored league means the Huddersfield side lose the two points gained from their 12-6 opening day win in Cumbria.

And on Saturday, the division's other Centurions, those from St Albans, marched away from The Cross with a hard-fought win.

That was despite a hat trick of tries from former Giants junior Mick Bostock, who was making his debut in the summer competition.

Saints, now in second place with Bank fourth, started the stronger, and were rewarded with a seventh- minute try by prop Roy Dube, goaled by scrum half Jason Baihn.

But Bank responded in style when Kiwi centre Siale Piutau crossed from second row Oliver Akroyd's pass three minutes later. Australian stand-off Shane Kirby improved.

The visitors still had the upper hand, however, and stretched their lead to 16-10 with tries by winger Andy Long (15 minutes) and centre Dene Miller (27) and another goal by the busy Baihn.

But the introduction of back Bostock from the bench helped put Rangers in the driving seat.

He crossed twice in three minutes before the break, first from a pass by Akroyd, then after an interchange with winger Richard Aka. Kirby kicked both conversions.

Having established an 18-16 lead, the home side hit the self-destruct button, giving away three converted tries in the opening 10 minutes of the second half to go 34-18 behind.

Loose-forward Richard Smith took advantage after Bank conceded back-to-back penalties.

Substitute Jon Warner made his mark by racing in from 50 metres.

Then stand-off Shane Rampling finished off when Kirby threw out a loose pass.

There were plenty more twists in store, however, and skipper and hooker Richard Wilde sparked Bank back into life with a quick reply.

Kirby, who was to finish with a 100% kicking record, added the goal and another comeback had begun.

Cleckheaton rugby union player Akroyd made the incisive break which allowed Bostock to complete his hat trick from 50 metres out.

Then Aka cleverly collected a loose ball to scorch through for the score which allowed Kirby to kick his side two points ahead.

Five minute later, St Albans were back in the lead, Miller defying a three-man tackle to twist over for Baihn to convert.

The game was still in the balance, and both sides had chances during a tense final 10 minutes before second row Richard Louw reached over for the clinching touchdown.

Underbank will aim to bounce back when they visit Warrington Wizards on Saturday (4.00).

Underbank: Lewis; Aka, Murphy, Piutau, Bell; Kirby, Simpson; Smalley, Wilde, Pollock, Akroyd, Keegan, Wright. Subs (all used): Bahadori (B), Smith, Brooke, Bostock.

St Albans: Warner; Long, Sione, Miller, Okuwusogu; Rampling, Baihn; Dube, Wheeler, Teau; Louw, Thompson, Smith. Subs (all used): Labushagne, Sinclair, Eparaima, Warner.

Divisional results: Bradford Dudley Hill 20 Hemel Hempstead 10, Bramley 42 Warrington 10, Essex 42 Birmingham 42, Sheffield 32 Gateshead 23.

* Underbank's second team began their Conference Yorkshire Division campaign with a 32-20 victory at Bradford Dudley Hill.