Aire taught a lesson by the students

Aireborough welcomed Leeds Medics and Dentists to Nunroyd Park on Saturday as they resumed league duties following last week’s Yorkshire Silver Trophy 54-14 victory against Ossett. Aire fielded a strong team but were required to do some re-jigging of the front row when hooker Nick Jackson turned up with a swollen and twisted ankle having walked up a flight of stairs in Liz’s high heels and tweaked something – the mind boggles as to what else happens in that house on a Friday night!

With Rich Lister moved to hooker and Si Davies promoted from the bench to tight-head prop, Aire kicked off up the hill as the heavens threatened to open on a slightly chilly Guiseley afternoon. Ten minutes in to the game and it wasn’t the heavens that had opened but the floodgates and Aire’s defence as LMD, through strong midfield running, good support play, poor Aire tackling and some Barbarian-style offloading in the tackle, scored two early unconverted tries to lead 0-10 and leave Aire shell-shocked under their own sticks.

LMD only had a Plan A, throw it wide and hit the gas, and they had further opportunities to do so as Aire’s forwards struggled to gain superiority over a younger, fitter yet smaller opposition pack. The Aire scrum never settled and was on the back foot for the first time this season and the lineouts, without the injured Nick Jackson to fire the darts, failed to give Aireborough the platform to unleash their dangerous backs.

With LMD continuing to have the lion’s share of possession it seemed inevitable that further scores would come… and they did – but not before Ollie Catherall (kindly sponsored by Michael Schofield) had reduced the deficit with an intercept try which was converted by Nick Holdsworth. The Aireborough comeback was soon derailed as LMD again cut through a passive Aire defence to score another unconverted try and lead 7-15 with a quarter of an hour of the first half remaining.

Nick Holdsworth reduced the deficit to 10-15 with a successful penalty but it was the students who ended the half in ascendancy with a further two tries as Aireborough were unable to live with the 100 mph rugby and constant off-loading of LMD. The misfiring fly-half of LMD finally managed to successfully convert the second of the tries with the last kick of the first half as Aire went into the break 10-27 behind.

HT: Aireborough 10 v Leeds Medics and Dentists 27

With it all to do in the second half, Aire started brighter and took the game to LMD. Early pressure and territory failed to yield any points for Aireborough and they were soon on the back foot again but LMD were again their own worst enemy as, with good field position, their prop tried a cheeky chip over the Aire defensive line only for full back Matthew Osborn (please contact Nick Jackson - nickjackson0@hotmail.co.uk – to discuss player sponsorship and having your company name here next time Matt scores) to catch the ball, pin his ears back and outpace his pursuers to score his first try of the season. Nick Holdsworth was unable to convert the try but Aire’s tail was up as they reduced the deficit to 12 points with 30 minutes remaining.

The light of optimism, burning bright for five minutes, was soon extinguished with the sixth LMD try as Aire were again carved open by the free-running students. Aireborough, acknowledging the goal posts had changed and that a win was very unlikely, set about scoring another two tries to be awarded a four-try bonus point. The wait for the third try was fairly short as Aire finally began to go through the phases which freed up space for Liam Cree to send Kris Brook (kindly sponsored by VANBAR - http://www.vanbarassociates.com/, Cannon Garden Services - http://www.cannongardenservices.co.uk/ and GMex Construction) over in the corner for his fourth try in two games. Ryan Sample was unable to convert the try but with 15 minutes remaining, Aire were in a good position to score another try and be rewarded for their endeavours with a bonus point.

Despite near constant possession and territory for the remaining 15 minutes, including two held-up tries and numerous LMD penalties in their ’22, Aireborough were unable to add to their score as they huffed and puffed but were met with some resolute (and at times lucky) defence.

FT: Aireborough 20 v Leeds Medics and Dentists 32

A disappointing performance from Aireborough who will need to pick themselves up midweek before facing another tough test against promoted Halifax Vandals – who will provide a more physical test than LMD. This may work in Aireborough’s favour as they were unable to match LMD’s fast and frenzied playing style and failed to stamp their authority, and playing style, on the game.

Man of the Match
Struggling for one this week as Aireborough took a few steps back following a strong start to the season and, at times, mimicking the Aireborough of a few years ago when heads went down and a lot of tries were leaked (Thorne and Stocksbridge away a couple of seasons ago rings a bell).

With only one knee, and now no back, Simon Davies stepped up to the challenge and his hard tackling will still be felt by a couple of the students this afternoon.

Simon Davies is sponsored by the company below. Please take a moment to visit their website and help support our supporters!

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