Aireborough lose close encounter away at Knottingley.

Aireborough came up short on Saturday away at Knottingley in what was effectively a three-half game due to a nasty injury to lock Jonny Hiles which required paramedic attendance at Marsh Lane and a trip to the local A&E.

The first half was a topsy-turvy affair which Aireborough began strongly, despite falling behind early on to a well-struck penalty from the Knottingley fly-half who was effectively the difference between the sides with a 16-point haul from his right boot. The Aire pack struck back with a rolling maul from a lineout which, once passed out to the backs was well finished by a rampaging Lewis Barrett, sponsored by Bramley Garage; with Captain Ollie Catherall adding the extras with the conversion.

Aireborough were soon 3-14 in front after further forward dominance which saw another rolling maul converted by substitute Charlie Middleton in the corner. Ollie Catherall's conversion was excellent from the touchline. Knottingley stepped it up, both physically and technically with some decent offloads and support play, hit back with two converted tries and another penalty to take a 20-14 lead just before halftime. The first half ended on a sour note for Aire with a suspected bad head/neck injury to Jonny Hiles which required medical treatment and a pause in the match to wait for an ambulance.

HT: Knottingley 20 v Aireborough 14

The second half, 40 long minutes, were spent in the changing room as the ambulance took the scenic route to the pitch to treat and evacuate the stricken Jonny Hiles. It gave Aireborough a good chance for a team talk and an opportunity for the players to evaluate their first-half performance and identify what was required from the second half.

The third half, with the light closing in from the ref's first whistle, was a frustrating half of rugby from Aireborough who dominated with both ball and territory but were unable to find a clinical touch when required; through both profligacy and, at times, intense home defence. Liam Cree reduced the deficit to 20-19 with 20 minutes to play with a well worked backs try following a number of phases of Wolf ball and forward dominance. Ollie Catherall, attempting another conversion from the touchline, was unlucky to see his attempt bounce off the post and wide.

It seemed inevitable that Aireborough would march on and score another try to both win the match and secure a bonus point but the Knottingley defence was hard-hitting and didn't stop all match. They were probably helped by employing rolling subs in the second half to protect the weary legs! Aireborough were caught on the break twice with good line breaks and despite good defence, infringed at the breakdown and were punished by the clinical Knottingley fly-half. The half ended with Aire camped on the Knottingley line but were unable to cross the whitewash and a knock on by Aire brought the game to an end.

FT: Knottingley 26 v Aireborough 19

Man of the Match: Jonny Hiles - Put his body on the line against the big lumps from Knottingley and ultimately paid for it with a knock to the head that ended his match early. Prior to that he had been dominant in the lineout and carried the ball hard into contact. Large, his player sponsor, used to do similar on the pitch and his good looks and flowing golden locks are evidence of how these types of performances are rewarded so more of these performances please Jonny if you want to be a looker in your older age...!

Brown Ale Moment: Jonny Hiles - For wasting already stretched NHS resources be requiring an ambulance responder, a two-man paramedic team and a visit to an extremely busy hospital for a slight bump to the head. If I could do an emoji on here I'd be rolling my eyes...

If that wasn't enough he then got into an argument with a very hard-working, over-worked, underpaid, experienced and knowledgeable doctor about whether it was essential to cut his shirt off or not. Fortunately, he won the argument and saved the club £40 by not having to re-order a new shirt........ :rolls eyes: (again....)