Stanley the current Champions started their new campaign with a sensational performance first time out against fellow first division opponents Castleford panthers, winning 70 points to nil.

Stanley came to this game with 5 new players making their debut, Will Hudson, Jack Donnegan, Joe Foster, Tom Broom, and Tom McGretton.

 

Try scores for Stanley were Kieran Holt, Will Hudson, Dom Jones, Max Jowitt, Alex Hobson, Daniel Sowerby, and big Jack "the pirate" Donnegan.

 

This was a very good performance all round, all the debutantes excelled, in particular Hudson making his first run out with a scintillating hatrick. Foster and Donnegen also excelled in going forward, along with McGretton distributing with intelligence.

 

Callum Sampson tonight was again superb, and led by example, along with the human dynamo Jonny Holmes. JH runs all day, and defended with perfection, as did Kieran Holt who is now the number 1 strike player in the whole comp.

Kieran showed his full armoury tonight, and the defence looked visibly shaken by his strong running and dynamic defence.

 

Jones and Hobson in their new positions of fullback and centre looked like they had played there for years, with Jones putting in a display of pace, and power, as well as skill, something we have missed at fullback.

 

Hardaker was again superb going forward, and in defence, and showed all his array of skills.

 

Sowerby had a major hand in creating 10 try's and that was as good a performance from him as we have seen, with ball in hand, running and kicking.

Jowitt looked strong, fast, and determined tonight, and again started the season in the same strong form he finished last.

 

The wingmen tonight also had their moments, and contributed in defence, as well as in attack. Upton, Broom, and Walker all doing their bit.

 

Broom also marked his debut with a score, along with Hudson, and Donnegan.

 

Hit of the game was by Sam Walker, who cut in half the biggest player on the park, and what a shot it was too.

The next game up for the Rangers is Shaw Cross Sharks on Saturday the 5th september at 12:30 away. This is the return leg of the Charity Challenge Cup, followed by a game against Stanley Wildcats in the District Cup on Monday the 7th at 6:30 pm at the club.