Sheffield Medics vs. Aireborough 1XV 24-11

This week saw Aireborough travel to South Yorkshire to face Sheffield Medics. The disappointing result but promising finish to the narrow opening week loss to Northallerton showed both the quality available to Aire this coming season but also plenty of areas for improvement. The bulk of the squad was retained from the previous week, with a few adjustments taking place. Crusaders' captain James Underwood (sponsored by Sarah Greene, freelance designer https://www.sarah-designer.com/ covering retail branding to logo design) called up for duty at scrum half with Stu Wilson away, Alan Justham stepping in for resident scribe and mystery man Richard Holmes in the second row, and Matt Osborn moving to start in the centres for Matt Trevithick.

Despite delays due to traffic, the warm-up was short and sharp. However, from early in the game the visitors were shown they were in for a challenge from the home side, with a fit and aggressive Medics side seemingly approaching strength compared to the side that lost heavily at Wendesleydale the previous week. Both teams went at it, with neither side able to force an opening. Early pressure was on the side of the visitors, resulting in a kickable penalty around 10 minutes in, which was easily slotted by captain and fly half Ollie Catherall to give Aireborough the lead.

Aireborough continued to have the better of the possession, again moving up into the Medics half and gaining another 3 points courtesy of the boot of Catherall. However, it was around this point that the visitors started to pile on the pressure. Medics dominated field position and possession in the second quarter, and it was only good work on the scramble defence that kept them from crossing the whitewash. It was there, 5 meters from their own line Aire spent most of the remainder of the half, executing their exit under pressure from the trainee doctors. Clean ball became a luxury for Underwood and Catherall in the 9-10 combination as the visiting scrum also found itself starting to creak against the unexpected strength of the students at the set piece. Unable to pierce the Aire defence Medics opted for a penalty to reduce the deficit to just 3 points just before half time.

HT 3-6

The second half couldn't have started much worse for Aire with the visitors conceding an early try within the first 2 minutes of the second period. The kick off wasn't dealt with and touch was missed from the exit off the resulting lineout, Medics passed in field before sending up a high ball into the Aireborough 22. The chase from the home side was good, allowing the Sheffield side to gather their own kick and touch down for a try that was then converted. Finding themselves under their own sticks and their lead gone should have refocused Aire, and for a while it did.

With renewed focus the visitors attempted to regain the advantage and eventually did, with around 20 minutes still to play. The pack putting Aire on the front foot, the ball spread wide to youngster Oscar Edwards on the right wing, who made good ground but couldn't round his man. The supporting players doing well to keep him from touch and keep the move alive, a couple of strong carries kept the visitors moving forward before the ball was spun out left. Moving quickly through the hands, centre Lewis Barrett found the outside shoulder before giving the ball to the supporting full back Harley Stevenson-Cocks who, still with plenty to do, took his try with class. Unfortunately the kick was too wide for Catherall giving Aire the slenderest advantage at 10-11 heading into the closing stages.

Shortly after the kick off an Aire infringement at the breakdown gave the home side a shot at goal but the chance to add 3 points was missed. With the ball returned to them from a 22 dropout the Medics attacked again. Again Aire worked to repel the home side, but Medics eventually battered their way to within sight of the line. It was from close range where they would be awarded a try of dubious grounding and blocking by the referee. This converted try forced Aireborough to chase the game but it was in this lack of accuracy as they tried to force things that the Medics managed to score again, converting an opportunity in the midfield to extend their lead to 24-11.

In the final moments, chasing a losing bonus point with only a minute or so on the clock, Aire pressure forced a loose kick out on the full by Medics giving the visitors possession with the final play of the game. The lineout was clean and the ball spread wide left, but there was no way through. The ball came back right and an opening was found, with an overlap in the wide channels. Tom Pendriss who had made good ground throughout the contest at No.8 turned on the gas, drew the man to pass on to onrushing Bill Child, unfortunately the athletic forward's hands failed him and it was all over.

FT 24-11

Another disappointing result for Aireborough, who despite the changes in personnel would have expected to have had enough to claim the W, especially with holding the lead for large periods. Head Coach Si Davies will be looking for a strong reaction and players to put their hands up as they host Harrogate Pythons next week.

MoM
Chris Chapman-
Vice-Captain and pack leader Chris Chapman got through a lot of work through the afternoon, and showed the rugby intelligence he is well known for at numerous points.

Matthew Osborn-
Centre Matt Osborn, as always, was a great player to have on any team- dangerous in attack and committed in defence. This commitment to the team saw him injured late on, and I'm sure that everyone associated with the club will wish Matt a speedy recovery as both an Aireborough stalwart and a top man.

As you can see there are still plenty of players available for sponsorship, from captains to try scorers. If you would like to support the club and promote your business please contact Commercial Manager Rich Lister at r_w_lister@hotmail.com.