Aireborough claim local derby spoils

Old Otliensians v Aireborough
Aireborough made the short journey north to face Old Otliensians in the first local derby of the season. With Otliensians hammering Aireborough 47-15 in the corresponding fixture last season, and having won four of the last five meetings, Aire knew they were in for a tough game against an opponent who had claimed a 4-try bonus point in all three of their league games this season.

Aire had selected the same forward pack following their strong showing last week against Harrogate Pythons and drafted Will Warrington onto the bench after his barnstorming performance for the Crusader’s last week. The back line was slightly shuffled with James Patterson given his full first-team debut on the wing as Thomas Copsey dropped to the bench.

After a slow warm-up, which saw centre Rob Johnson tweak his hamstring and be replaced by substitute Liam Cree, Aireborough shot out of the blocks at 100mph with second row Richard Holmes charging down an Otliensian clearance following a deep kick-off from fly-half Ryan Sample; the ball was subsequently cleared by Otliensians but this set the tone for the first 25 minutes of the match as Aireborough camped in the Otliensian’s half.

Aireborough soon asserted their dominance in both the scrum and line-out which gave Aire plenty of possession and territory in which to test the Otliensian defence. It took Aireborough 10 minutes of pressure before smart work down the blind side from scrum half Tom Holdsworth resulted in Jonny Mackey scoring a try in the corner. Sample’s attempted conversion was wayward from a tight angle.

Aireborough continued to turn the screw with Christopher Chapman leaping like a salmon in the line-out to steal Otliensian ball and Cree leading the back line with aggressive rush defence. The second try was a result of a slice of good fortune as Ollie Catherall’s clearance was touched by an Otliensian chaser which put Aireborough onside and quick thinking from Captain Rich Lister released wild Bill Child who found some space and put the afterburners on. Bill could have had an easy try but decided to take the scenic route and engage a covering defender in battle – justifying the decision by steamrolling him and scoring under the sticks; with Sample adding the additional two points.

Otliensians got a foothold in the match on the half hour with a converted try under the posts following a strong run from their winger who cut in on the angle and beat a couple of Aire defenders. It was the first time Otliensians had been in the Aire ’22 and, buoyed by the home support who had finally found their voice, gave the Otliensian players belief that they could continue to eat into the Aireborough lead – however Aire responded well and the first half ended with the two teams locking horns in midfield.
HT: Old Otliensians 7 v Aireborough 12

Aireborough’s defence and mettle were severely tested in the second half as a rejuvenated Otliensians upped their game, coupled with Aireborough indiscipline and errors, and applied sustained pressure to the Aire line. The Aire defence was outstanding though; with Nick Jackson, Adam Jackson and substitute Jonny Hiles disrupting rucks and turning over ball and allowing Stu Wilson and Sample to tactically kick to safety and relive pressure.

Frustration began to seep into the Otliensian mentality as Aire held firm and the match became disjointed through stoppages for injuries and occasional handbags. The second half lasted 50 minutes as the excellent female referee (no, not that one from Stocksbridge away last season!) managed the game and kept the peace.

Aireborough adapted to the stop-start second half better than Otliensians and finished the game stronger as their fitness levels showed against a tiring and battered opposition. James Patterson went over in the corner for an unconverted try having been set-up by Stu Wilson for his second try in two matches. The bonus point win was secured ten minutes later as Wilson showed good hands to take a Mackey offload on the move and dive over the try line – with the misfiring Sample again missing the conversion.

To be fair to Otliensians, they never gave up and the game ended with Aire defending again in their ’22 – and again turning over ball and being awarded a penalty which, after further handbags, Sample kicked out of play to bring the game to an end.
FT: Old Otliensians 7 v Aireborough 22

Aireborough laid a few ghosts to rest with a long awaited, bonus point victory away at Otliensians. The Aire scrum was dominant and the aggressive rush defence, which left Otliensians with a number of walking wounded at the end of the game, ultimately won the game with the second half blunting of the Otliensian attack. Overall I think Matt was happy with the victory but did highlight an alarming number of penalties and errors which will require rectification midweek before another challenging and physical match against Castleford at Fortress Nunroyd next week.

Man of the Match
This week’s award is as Men of the Match, with the impact of the two work horses in the second row highlighted in the club house after the match (not my words guys!) – between Bill Child and Richard Holmes the following was witnessed yesterday:
• 1 x try
• Numerous line out wins and support for Christopher Chapman
• Number of turnovers in open play
• Engine room of a dominant scrum
• 6 ½ abs
• Another cracking match report.
Richard and Bill are shown above post Otliensian shower – like brothers from another mother!