Good First Blow Out for Aireborough Seniors

With the 2018/19 season just over two weeks away, Aireborough headed into the first of their preseason match feeling well prepared and confident that a good performance could come their way.

Last time a match of this ilk had taken place, Aire knocked the hosts out of the Aire-Wharf Cup by a single point, so Yarnbury, also being local rivals, were out to put a halt to the Wolfpack’s season preparations.

The first five minutes of the match were not really worth writing home about, with Aireborough conceding two tries out wide without touching the ball, and then a third a few moments later. 17-0

Once Aireborough had a chance to steady the ship, the game really started. As soon as the visitors started to hold onto possession, the pressure was on Yarnbury.

Aire were building towards the Yarnbury line through the forwards, Rich Lister, Martyn Booth and Luke Exley all taking the ball over the gainline. Nick Holdsworth called for the ball out wide, faked a pass to his left and darted through the gap ahead of him to score the visitors first points of preseason. 17-5

Much of the same followed with good build up play from the Aireborough forwards and some fast breaks from the backs. Captain Ollie Catherall led by example and picked off a few interceptions in the match. Around 15 minutes in, the forwards were pushing to the line, once again the ball was shipped out this time to Catherall, drawing two would be tacklers and passing at the last second to put Kris Brook in the corner. 17-10

Plenty of substitutes followed the break at the quarter mark and the game kicked off again. This time with Aireborough receiving the kick off and the visitors were able to carry on where they had left off.

The second quarter of the match became more attritional, with both sides trying to control possession. It was Aire that stole the march early on though, as it was Nick Holdsworth once again finding a gap, this time in the middle. His delayed pass to youngster Lewis Myers set the colt up for his first senior try under the sticks, to be converted by Catherall. 17-17

From the kickoff, Yarnbury managed to steel possession back and broke up field. After a couple of missed tackles in the middle of the park, Yarnbury were in for the first time since the start of the game, however a late high tackle five meters out from Brook saw the hosts awarded a penalty try. 24-17

Little happened before halftime as the whistle blew, calling an end to a tiring first half of preseason rugby. More changes were made to keep legs fresh, however the hosts has a clear advantage in substitutes, playing with 30 players on the day, Aireborough having to settle with the 20 that travelled.

The second half kicked off in perfect fashion for the visitors as the recently-arrived Si Hill made his way on to the pitch and carried on where he left off last season, making about 10 meters in one run with three would be tacklers hanging off him. At this stage, Aire once again were coming forward through the pack and they were rewarded with their efforts as Jonny Mackey crashed over from close in. 24-22

Aire were much more up for it in the second half, displaying some good midfield tackling with Jamie Sykes, Rich Lister and Harley Stevenson-Cocks all getting in good shots while defending.

Into the fourth quarter, more changes came for both sides, including a full front row change.

All editions of the pack worked for Aireborough, especially at scrum time. Not once in the match were they driven back in the scrum. Not bad considering limited opportunities to practice the set piece during preseason.

Aire were once again camped on the Yarnbury line and were trying to squeeze the ball over, with Si Hill and Tom Clayton going closest before the ball was held up. The following scrum was nothing short of perfect. A gritty front row display and power coming from the rest of the pack, including promising new signing Tom Dean, were close to driving over, before the referee called to use it. The ball was passed out and a high tackle gifted Aireborough a penalty try and the lead for the first time in the match. 24-29

Following this, Yarnbury made six substitutions, a luxury that was not necessarily available to the visitors.

Perhaps this made the difference as Yarnbury all of a sudden found their feet. Scoring two quick tries from breaks, the score quickly turned around once again. Aire found themselves 36-29 down, but managed to squeeze one more try out of the hosts, bringing the score to 36-34, setting up a grandstand finish.

Yarnbury, however, gathered the kickoff and through a few phases, they gained a penalty, giving them a lineout 10 meters from the visitors’ line. A set of hands through the hosts relatively fresh backs was too much for an Aire backline that had played nearly 80 minutes and the home side dotted down under the posts on the last play.

Final score: Yarnbury 41-34 Aireborough

What started out as a calamitous day for Aireborough turned into a game full of positives and gave coach Si Davies plenty to be pleased with going into the season. Aireborough’s backs look dangerous with the likes of Jamie Sykes coming through and proving to be a dynamo going forward. The forward pack look strong as well, with new signing Tom Dean looking like a great addition to the side that ended the season as one of the strongest packs in Yorkshire 3.

Aire’s preseason concludes away at Burley this Saturday, before the season starts at Halifax Vandals on 1st September. We have to wait until 8th September for Aireborough’s first match back at fortress Nunroyd, where the Wolfpack will host Hemsworth.