Aireborough progress in Aire-Wharfe Trophy

With the clocks going forward and dragging the UK out of its wintry slump into the colourful delights of spring; Aireborough began their Aire-Wharfe journey away at Roundhegians 2’s in the first round of the mid-week cup.

A strong Aireborough team had a rushed warm-up as heavy rush hour Leeds traffic delayed the arrival of the players. Jonny Hiles, however, wasted no time in getting stuck in to the opposition – taking the kick off with a safe pair of hands and rampaging through some weak tackles to make 30 metres before being tackled.

With the tone set, Aireborough produced a dominant first half display to effectively put the result to bed. Wild Bill Child cut through the defence with a strong run on a cracking angle to set up Lewis Barrett for an unopposed try under the sticks which was converted by Ollie Catherall. 0-7.

Aireborough were soon over again; centre Liam Cree made a break out wide and found lock-come-prop Richard Holmes (kindly sponsored by Yeadon’s The Optical Shop http://www.opticaid.net/content.php?_p_=7) to crash over from a couple of metres for an unconverted try. 0-12.

With Jonny Hiles and Christopher Chapman starving Roundhegians of line out balls and the makeshift front row of Richard Holmes, Philip Shopland-Reed and Simon Davies securing scrum ball, Aireborough were like a Boa Constrictor around the body of a suffocating South American Antelope. Aire made it 0-19 shortly before the break with another try from Lewis Barrett (I told you he would be worth a sponsor as he’ll pick up some more mentions – please contact Nick Jackson at nickjackson0@hotmail.co.uk for sponsorship opportunities) as Roundhegians struggled to cope with his strong line breaks. Ollie Catherall converted.

HT: Roundhegians 0 v Aireborough 19

Roundhegians were stronger in the second half, clearly boosted by a few 1st teamers, but Aireborough were professional enough to see the result out in the rapidly fading light. Ian Craven scored his 10th try of the season for the club with a neat finish to extend Aireborough’s lead to 0-24.

Roundhegians pulled a couple of tries back although the result was never in doubt and Philip Shopland-Reed, somehow mistaken for Simon Davies by Rich Lister – get yourself down to The Optical Shop mate, put the game to bed with a late unconverted try which was just reward for a shift at hooker!

FT: Roundhegians 10 v Aireborough 29

This was a good squad performance, with a number of Crusaders putting in shifts and their bodies on the line for the cause. Rob Anslow, hooking, deputised well for the injured duo of Nick Jackson and Rich Lister and David Krushell looked potent in attack when fielding kicks from deep.

Lewis Barrett was close to getting man of the match with his two tries and huge hit in the second half – but having plied his trade in Yorkshire 1 this season with Heath, two tries against Roundhegians 2’s is the minimum to be expected – in fact I’m pretty sure there was some jug avoidance going on!

I can’t give it to me every week so Philip Shopland-Reed with a try and a stint at hooker is man of the match.