Aireborough back to winning ways.

Aireborough welcomed Halifax to Nunroyd Park on Saturday, looking to bounce back from the disappointing 13-23 loss to local rivals Baildon two weeks ago. Halifax, on the other hand, were coming into the game on the back of an excellent 31-31 draw with table topping Knottingley last week – a result which belies their current league position.

With Nunroyd Park a little boggy following some lovely Yorkshire weather over the past week Aireborough received the kick off and began the slog up the hill toward the Halifax line. The scene for the first half was set early, with centre Liam Cree making a line break with a strong run, coming in on the angle, but Aireborough were unable to capitalise as the ball was knocked on in the following phase of the attack; allowing Halifax to clear their lines.

Aireborough dominated both possession and territory in the 20 minutes but were unable to get on the score board due to a mixture of poor execution, bad luck and ill-discipline creating a perfect storm of frustration which left some of the Aire players (and supporters I’m sure) shaking their heads wondering if it was going to be one of those days!

Halifax added to the frustration by taking the lead with a penalty following further Aireborough infringements in one of their only forays into the Aire half. Another foray shortly afterwards nearly resulted in a try following a chip and chase but the covering Thomas Copsey was able to dive on the ball in the goal area and just beat the chasing Halifax player to it.

Aireborough ended the first half camped in the Halifax ’22 but despite a number of 5m line outs, scrums in good positions and promising line breaks from Nick Jackson, Wild Bill Child, Adam Jackson and Rob Johnson they only had a penalty from the reliable left foot of Nick Holdsworth to show for their endeavours as the first half ended 3-3.

HT: Aireborough 3 v Halifax 3

The team talk at half time was brief – Aireborough knew what they needed to do – go through the phases, play the hill with strategic kicking and have belief that the tries would come against a (hopefully) tiring opposition who had defended resolutely in the first half.

It didn’t take long for the plan to come together with Aireborough forcing Halifax into the corner. With the Aireborough lineout trio of Bill Child, Jonny Hiles (or is it Hines?) and Richard Holmes causing mayhem in the Halifax lineout, they were unable to clear their lines and from a catch and drive the Aireborough forwards mauled the ball over the line and Richard Holmes (kindly sponsored by The Optical Shop: Prescription glasses at great prices - http://www.opticaid.net/content.php?_p_=7 - 0113 239 1400) gratefully dived to the floor to open his try account for the season.

Actually, scratch that, my Mom might be reading this and I tell her I score every week… a long clearing kick from Halifax (deep into the Aireborough half) was fielded by the man mountain that is Richard Holmes who, showing fleet of foot similar to that of Usain Bolt, beat defenders too numerous to count to score his 20th try – and another try of the season contender. **SPOILER ALERT** Halifax don’t score any more points so technically this was the match winning score. **SPOILER ALERT**

Nick Holdsworth added the additional two points from out wide to increase Aireborough’s lead to 10-3.

The Aireborough wolf pack smelt blood as a tiring and dejected Halifax kicked off and further pressure from the forwards in the Halifax ’22 resulted in a large gap out wide for Ollie Catherall to release his speed man, Thomas Copsey (kindly sponsored by Mike Neild and Tokai Guitars), to go over in the other corner to extend the Aireborough lead to 15-3 with 15 minutes to go. Nick Holdsworth added the extras to take his tally to 30 points this season – all from the boot. Aireborough were 17-3 up and on the lookout for another two tries for a bonus point win.

Despite near total Aire dominance in the final 15 minutes, Aireborough were unable to add to their points, and tries, tally. The poor execution returned from the first half and the doggedly defending from Halifax, who never gave up all match, stopped Aire in their tracks. Even a 90 second cameo from the usually dependable Simon Davies couldn’t get Aireborough over the line – giving away a penalty from a 5m scrum and then being danced around by a fat prop with two left feet as he lined up a big hit which resulted in an air shot. The clock reached 80 minutes and a shrill of the referee’s whistle brought the game, and Simon Davies’s nightmare, to an end.

FT: Aireborough 17 v Halifax 3

At the risk of sounding like a broken record – a win’s a win. Given the result last time out, and the boggy conditions of Nunroyd Park, it was important to get the win – but there were a lot of points left out on the pitch and this could easily have been a six or seven try, 50 point victory. Aireborough must be much more clinical next week away at Harrogate Pythons when in the opposition ’22 and must cut out the penalties which cost Aireborough territory and possession on Saturday.

Man of the Match
Well this should be fairly simple… he writes the match reports, scores the match winning try and had probably his best game of the season… must be Richard Holmes? Right?!

Well… I have got news for you… in a decision as corrupt as the recent Presidential elections across the pond, it’s not me! As you all pick your jaws from the floor and rub your eyes in astonishment, somehow Ollie Catherall, running the show from fly-half, caught Matt’s eye and was rewarded with a very deserving Man of the Match award. Philip Shopland-Reed and Jonny Hiles also deserve recognition for putting in shifts across the park.

Ollie is kindly sponsored by Michael Schofield.