Aireborough Triumphs in Season Opener, Crushing Stocksbridge 37-7!

On a warm sunny day at fortress Aireborough hopes were high that the weather would benefit the
home side more than the big forwards from Stocksbridge and so it proved. Aire always looked the
better side from the Kick Off but wayward passing and unlucky bounces kept the home side from
scoring early on, perhaps it was time to keep ball in hand and so it proved with Stand Off Jake
Waugh dancing through a gap in the Stocksbridge back line to then draw the Opposition Full Back
and put Tommy Rollinson in near the corner for an unconverted try.
Further points soon followed as Stocksbridge offended in front of the post for an easy penalty for
Harvey Sellers. 8 – 0 at the first water break on 20 minutes.
Aire didn’t let up, pressing the Stocksbridge line strongly it took a well-balanced pass to feed Centre
Joe White on the Crash ball for him to score some 20 meters or so out from the posts. Possibly the
try of the match.
Then came Tommy Rollinson’s second try following some loose play by Stocksbridge Joe White sped
through a gap and just as he was caught quickly fed Tommy putting the second row over leaving Aire
with a Half Time score of 18-0
The start of the second half caught Aire napping and pressure from Stocksbridge led to them scoring
their only try of the game 18-7. Aire rallied and following several pick and goes, some awesome
offloading and a quick feed Jake Waugh sidestepped his way to the line to score only to aggravate an
old injury and leaving the field. Aire 23 – 7 up but now with 14 men.
The weather began to take its toll on both sides but more so Stocksbridge who were noticeably
flagging and so, despite being a man down, Aire adjusted well and following a break by Harry
Beckwith, now at centre, he drew the defence and off loaded to Tommy Rollinson for his hat-trick.
Joe White converted. 30–7.
From the Stocksbridge kick off Tommy collected and made a clean break through the defence
offloading to Harvey Sellers to go over under the posts. Joe White again converted. 37-7 Full Time.
An all-round good performance for the 15 men of Aireborough which makes you wonder what the
potential score could have been had replacements been available. This team can certainly compete
in Yorkshire 4 but need strength in depth to do so. The team is gelling very well and played in the
correct spirit. It would be great to see a full squad turning out against Hornsea next week to send a
message of strength to the other teams in the league. Please, if you can, make yourself available on
Teamreach.
Next week will also see some after match activity leading up to England’s first match in the world
cup. A great opportunity for players to bond further and then on for a few in Guiseley after.
Finally, while every player did their bit today it is not often that a Second Rower gets to score a Hat
Trick so credit goes to Tommy Rollison for doing just that and also being awarded a well deserved
Player of the Match.
Well done lads!