Match Preview

Coach Si Davies has named a big and strong squad as Aireborough face Yorkshire Division 2 outfit Old Crossleyans this Saturday in a pre-season fixture at Nunroyd Park. Old Crossleyans narrowly escaped relegation to Division 3 last season, despite finishing second bottom of Division 2 with 8 wins and 18 losses, and will be a good test for Aireborough's fresh style of play under the stewardship of the new coach.

The Halifax-based outfit ended the 16/17 season strongly with 3 wins from their last 5 games and will be looking to build keep that momentum going into the start of the 17/18 season with a victory in their first, and only, pre-season game against Aire. They were only soundly beaten a couple of times last season out of their 18 losses, and had a couple of important wins against sides at the top of the table so will be a stern test for this improving Aireborough side.

Aireborough will be looking to improve on the performances and results from the Roundhegians 10's tournament last week, having also had two training sessions to continue to iron out the errors and work on the game play. Aireborough, at times, were their own worst enemy last week with some headless running and poor off-loading which gifted tries to the opposition; notably against local rivals Old Otliensians who 'nilled' Aire in their pool game.

With new additions to the squad eager to press for 1st XV selection when the season kicks off on the 2nd September at home to Northallerton, old hands will need to step up to the mark and put in performances to secure their place. More good performances from resident Crusaders on Saturday, such as Matty Jones who was Aire's man of the tournament last week at 'Hegians, will give Davies a headache as he begins to cut his 1st XV squad down to the regulation 20 for league games.

It promises to be a cracking match between the two teams. Kick off is at 3pm at Fortress Nunroyd - please come and support the lads and the club in the bar afterwards.