Dean Riordan’s side completed impressive wins over Camden Haven Redbacks, at Laurieton last Saturday, and Taree Wildcats – in a catch-up fixture – on Wednesday evening.

Rangers won 5-0 against the Redbacks, and beat the Wildcats 7-4 to lead the ladder by two points from Wallis Lakes.

The first grade coach was thrilled with six points from two tough trips against top five sides.

“We’ve been missing key regulars through injury and suspension and the youngsters who’ve stepped up have been unbelievable,” Riordan said.

“I would’ve been happy with a point at Taree with the side I put out, but to get a win against last year’s premiers was just fantastic.”

Saturday’s match saw skipper Steve Morn and Sam Potter out through suspension, while Andrew Potter and Josh Tynan were injured.

Playing on a bumpy pitch, in front of notoriously vocal spectators, Rangers ran out 5-0 winners.

John Henry kept up his record of scoring in every game since the beginning of the second round of matches, while Macky Lawrence (two) and Darren Morn (one) added goals.

Teenager Jack Shaw marked his first grade debut by finding the net too.

“He got a cracking goal,” Riordan said.

“He was nervous to begin with, but got into his stride and played like a champ.

“We silenced the crowd by dominating the whole game.”

Another weakened Rangers side, this time missing Chad Applegate, Blake Webster and Chris Walker, travelled to Taree on Wednesday evening.

The Potter brothers returned, as did Josh Wilson and Danny De Bono.

The visitors got off to a flyer, with two goals – from Henry and Lawrence - in the opening 10 minutes.

The Wildcats hit back with a penalty and two easy goals from set pieces, before Andrew Potter brought the scores level again going into the break.

“The half-time talk was just me telling the lads how good they’d been for a team thrown together,” Riordan said.

“We knew we shouldn’t have let them back in, but I told them to keep their confidence high.”

Things didn’t go to plan as the hosts’ Ricky Campbell added to his season’s tally to restore Taree’s lead within five minutes of the re-start.

“I thought it was going to be doom and gloom, to be honest,” Riordan admitted, “but we kicked into gear and dominated.

“Young Shaw and Josh Wilson just tore down the flanks and it was like we had two extra players on the field.”

Henry equalised from the spot, after Wilson was tripped in the box.

Lawrence got Rangers back in front, converting a Wilson cross.

Sam Potter beat two defenders down the middle and unleashed a long-range shot that beat the keeper, to make it 6-4.

Andrew Potter added the seventh, earning his coach’s praise for a tireless performance on return from a four-week lay-off.

“All of our players could’ve earned man of the match,” Riordan said.

Henry earned the players’ player three points, with Andrew Potter getting two, and Lawrence getting one point.

An inexperienced reserves side put up a brave show against their Taree counterparts.

The Wildcats won 2-1 to extend their lead to five points on the ladder.

Rangers’ firsts and reserves will take on Tuncurry Forster at Dangar St tomorrow.