Aire 1st XV vs Goole - 8 April 2017

Saturday saw a high-flying Goole outfit visit Nunroyd Park on a day more suited to sitting in beer gardens than playing rugby. The depth of the senior squad got another test, with absentees including eight regulars in the pack alone.

The 18 that took to the field were bolstered by the return of Luke Exley, Si stepping up again from the Crusaders, and a very eager Thomas Copsey at Openside; the settled back division rotated to account for the missing Stu Wilson, Tom Holdsworth's late season return to Aire seeing him slot into a familiar 9 shirt.

Goole started the brighter, slick hands and a try in the corner in the opening exchange, and the afternoon looked like it would be a long one. But with the kick missed and some stern words from skipper Ollie Catherall under the sticks, Aire suddenly woke up.

Playing down the slope, carries, offloads and accurate clear-outs saw Ollie go under the sticks, and an easy conversion for Nick Holdsworth gave Aire the lead.

Goole hit back as their scrum fired and they took one against the head, and went over again in the corner. Conversion missed. But Aire were soon making further in-roads into the Goole half, and when the ref spotted an Aire knock-on on Goole's 22m, he pulled play back to a penalty midfield on the 10m line, and Nick Holdsworth slotted it to tie the scores up on twenty minutes.

Aire's line speed was superb in defence, and the Goole fly half had a 'mare as a result. Net gains with the boot for Aire culminated in a scrum 22m out from the Goole line, and putting together 6/7 phases, Chris Chapman was on the end of a great score which saw backs, forwards and Copsey carrying strongly with excellent ball retention. 15-10 Aire.

Goole came back up the hill and looked dangerous with ball in hand after 2/3 phases, Aire aiming to shut them down before the gaps appeared. In the heat, Goole rotated their forwards, a luxury that Aire didn't have, and the Aire eight dug in for the final five of the half. Goole however swung the ball blind and dotted down in the corner in the final play before the whistle. Conversion missed, HT 15-15. Game on.

Chappers and Copsey had stolen Goole lineout in the first half, but struggled to win their own, a couple of chances for drives in the corner going begging and there could have been a gap between the sides at half time, albeit the Goole fly half was wayward from the tee. The boot of Holdsworth, Holdsworth and Catherall had allowed Aire to pressure a near table-topping Goole side and play in the right areas down the slope.

The chat at HT was positive and from the touchline it was clear Aire we're in a battle and loving every minute.

The second half started with Goole using the ball well, strong carries from the Goole big boys followed up with classy offloads and clinical hands; Goole showing why they sit in the promotion spot at the business end of the season. A superb try again in the corner took the score to 15-20.

Their next score came after a bobble on the Aire 10m, the referee (who made as many mistakes as I have in this match report, but generally had a good day in the middle) signalled a knock on. Aire stopped, Goole didn't, and the referee retracted his arm. In the confusion Goole had gone behind the Aire defence and scored under the posts. 15-27 with a successful conversion.

From the kick off, Martyn Booth, clearly eager to make amends for the Goole score, set off 10 minutes before Ollie decided to kick the ball, managing to beat the ball to the exact spot Ollie landed it; unfortunately the ref did spot the early run, giving Goole a scrum on halfway.

The remainder of the game saw Goole run in three more tries, the final score finishing 15-46.

In yet another game of two halves, Aire were tireless in their efforts, and both the heat and lack of bench undid their good work as the second half wore on. But the 18 should be pleased that they gave Goole a scare in the first half; excellent defensive pressure both in midfield and out wide caused havoc to the normally rampant Goole back line, and Aire strung together some excellent possession and scored two great tries.

The combined age of Si, Tim and Boothy in the tight five deservedly took some plaudits in the bar afterwards, Boothy seeing off a double for his “eagerness” from the kick off. Chris Chapman, sponsored by 2 to 3D design, took the MoM award this week with a solid display at Number 8 both in attack as he bagged a try, and in defence with some solid gainline-stopping hits.

No game next week (Easter) - the final two games of the season see Aire travel to Northallerton (22nd April) and Leeds Medics and Dentists (29th April).