Aireborough 24 - 14 Harrogate Pythons

This weeks fixture saw Aireborough host Harrogate Pythons at Nunroyd Park. With the Aire wolfpack hungry to get their first win of the season, and the forums being littered with talk about how good Pythons were looking this year, it promised to be ferocious encounter.

Head Coach Si Davies made promises after last weeks defeat to shake the squad up and exactly that happened, with Si Hill and James Greenwood getting their first starts this season (the latter returning home after a spell at Wetherby) as well as Liam Cree returning to the centres (despite a recurring hamstring injury that’s lasted all of 12 months) and David Krushell stepping into fullback after a great performance for the Crusaders last week.

The warm up was sharp as usual, and whilst many of the players had words of encouragement to say, Captain Ollie Catherall summed our game plan perfectly;

“focus on those first 20 minutes, make sure we’re ruthless, and the rest will come...”

Pythons received the kick off and from the 1st minute, a much improved Aire pack dominated their opposition with most of the rugby played between both 22’s. Aire’s Scrum and Lineout were strong, with their backline closing all gaps with aggressive defence - it was a matter of “when” not “if” Aire would score first.

From a lineout outside their 22, Jonny Hiles caught the ball and a rolling maul was set up - charging towards the opposition try line, with some great work from Rich Lister and Martyn Booth, Jonny Mackey (sponsored by Dave Greenwood) strolled in for the first try in the corner, with the conversion just going wide. 5-0

With half time approaching, a few silly mistakes and penalties gifted Pythons possession deep in Aire’s half and a couple of missed tackles later the ball shipped wide and they were in for a try which they converted.

HT. 5-7

The half time talk was calm and collected, Si Davies reassuring players that Aire were the fitter team and if they upped their intensity in the collision, the match was theirs for the taking.

The second half kicked off with Aire receiving the ball and playing some great phases of rugby, the forwards using their pick and go to gain valuable yards whilst the kicking game of Ollie Catherall and Nick Holdsworth (plus a Pele-esque boot by front row Rich Lister!) ensured Pythons remained in their own half.

Having seen so much success from their line out, a penalty gifted Catherall the chance to put the Aire pack deep into Pythons 22 and from another great catch and drive maul, Jonny Mackey (sponsored by Dave Greenwood) was gifted another try which this time was converted. 12-7

With an element of deja vu, Pythons again returned the pressure to try and recover their lead however this time things were different. Great defensive work from Liam Cree saw Pythons rushed to throw the ball wide allowing Ollie Catherall (NOT YET SPONSORED) to judge their pass perfectly, intercepting to sprint in unopposed under the sticks, also adding the two points. 19-7

The blitz defence from Aire had nullified Pythons physical running game for most of the match but deep in their 22 after catching the kick off, the Pythons 10 dummied a clearance kick, breaking the line and throwing the ball wide for their winger to sprint down the touch line. Capturing the determination the Aire team had showed all game, winger Kris Brook managed to sprint from the opposite touch line to make a huge tackle, bundling the Pythons winger into touch. However the referee deemed the hit to be high and awarded Pythons a penalty try. 19-14

The final 10 minutes of the match was crucial for both teams. With bonus points on offer and still a chance for Pythons to steal the victory, Aire needed to show the ruthlessness that Captain and Coach demanded from the start.

With the pack bolstered by the added weight of Jonny Hiles, Si Hill and Adam Jackson, Aire knew they had to keep the ball tight and focus on getting the 4 try bonus point. Python’s gave away a penalty and showing confidence in his pack, Catherall drilled it into the corner.

Aire applied huge pressure from 2 strong lineouts and a scrum which were so close to bearing fruit. Catherall shipped the ball wide for Krushell and Rob Johnson to break Pythons line only to be stopped inches short. Step up the combo of Hiles, Hill and Jackson with two great pick and go moves which saw Si Hill (NOT YET SPONSORED) charge in for the final try of the game.

FT 24-14

Whilst that would have been a great highlight to end the game on - having almost certainly already bagged himself the “Brown Ale” moment for turning up late again - scrum half Stu Wilson wanted to ensure the lukewarm prize was his, tackling a Pythons player offside after conceding a penalty to earn himself a yellow card (and a cheese slice in the club house).

Man of the match of the match this week was one of the harder decisions with some really strong forward performances and a game well controlled by Catherall at 10 and Krushell at 15.

However, despite playing 70+ minutes with an obvious leg injury, centre Liam Cree marshalled the aire backline, never taking a step back in defence and made some sharp line breaks causing a nuisance for the opposition all day he earnt himself the award - along with hopefully a rest week next Saturday!

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.