Another defeat results in more questions to the Aire conundrum

Who are Aireborough?
What is their identity?
Why can’t we win anymore?
What’s going wrong at the minute?
Is Chopin sh*t?
Just where are Boothy’s car keys?

Aireborough lost for the third time in four games on Saturday against a spirited Halifax Vandals side and left the boys scratching their heads as the questions above were posed. Unfortunately this author doesn’t have any of the answers, other than to inform Kris Brook that Chopin is definitely not sh*t! Oh, and Martyn Booth’s car keys were found so that’s another question answered I guess!

Aireborough 1st XV are currently suffering from a slight identity crisis as the momentum from the fine start to the season has been lost and the tough, physical games continue to come thick and fast. Aireborough host the lumps from Stocksbridge this Saturday and some of the questions need answering for Aire to arrest the slump and put in 80 minute performances to win matches.

Anyway… on with the match report!

A depleted, but still strong, side travelled to Halifax Vandals on Saturday but were soundly beaten by both opposition and referee to leave Aire mid-table and stuck on 23 points. Aireborough started the game well but were soon 7-0 down following questionable defence at an attacking Halifax line-out and even more questionable refereeing that allowed their openside flanker to crawl his way to the line for a converted try.

Aire were soon level following a good break outwide by Kris Brook who, having skinned his opposite number, off loaded to the supporting Ollie Catherall (sponsored by Michael Schofield) to touch down under the posts and give Nick Holdsworth the simplest of conversions. Nick Holdsworth was soon on the scoresheet again with a penalty as the two teams traded successful penalties but it was Halifax who ended the first half in front, despite being down to 14 men following the sin-binning of their prop, following another converted try.

HT: Halifax Vandals 17 v Aireborough 10

Aireborough huffed and puffed in the second half put were unable to add to their half time score as the two teams battled it out in midfield, both unable to exert real pressure on their counterparts. The Halifax prop, already walking a disciplinary tightrope following his first half yellow card, was fortunate not to see red for a no arms shoulder barge on big Ed Brewer. On a rare folly into the Aireborough ‘22m Halifax scored another questionable try following a quadruple movement and ended the game scoring a fourth bonus-point try following a kick and chase which, despite Adam Jackson diving on the ball to touch it down for a ‘22m clearance, resulted in Halifax being awarded a try by the eagle eyed referee on the half way line. There was also a successful Halifax penalty in there somewhere!

FT: Halifax 32 v Aireborough 10

Nick Jackson was awarded the Man of the Match by the injured Jonny Mackey and, in an ironic twist, mimicked the Aireborough performance whilst downing his post-match pint and finished well behind the three Halifax lads who were also downing pints – which just about summed up Aire’s day. A bad day at the office, but onward and upward to Stocksbridge at home on Saturday and a much needed W!

Nick is kindly sponsored by The Funiture Clinic (https://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/ - 0844 879 3691) - leather care and repair specialists. Please take a moment to visit their website and help support our supporters!