Aire 19-32 Wensleydale

Saturday saw a Wensleydale side travel to Nunroyd Park in a rich vein of form, to play an Aire side looking to bounce back to winning ways.

The cold afternoon and heavy underfoot conditions didn’t suggest a high scoring game, but the crowd were rewarded with eight tries which saw the travelling side take the spoils.

Despite pressuring from the kick off following the first of many solid Chris Chapman tackles during the game, Aire found themselves under their sticks five minutes in after a dink from the ‘dale fly half was dotted down by Wensleydale as bodies from both sides scrambled to gain footing in the conditions. Conversion missed 0-5.

Aire hit back shortly after, solid work from the lineout, gaining forward momentum and front foot ball for Ollie Catherall to make use of Lewis Barrett’s superb line in midfield for the try, Catherall adding the extras. 7-5.

Wensleydale then flexed their muscles in the Aire half as the ‘dale scrum got the upper hand, and forced mistakes from Aire. Exacerbated by Aire’s pack undercommitting and being turned over by a more eager Wensleydale back row, the pressure eventually telling with a short range crash, conversion good. Quickly followed by an Aire infringement and ‘dale taking the three, 7-15.

The Wensleydale kicking game then came up trumps again, Aire regularly losing yards in exchanges, and ‘dale took full advantage of field position to chip in behind once again for another score. Conversion missed. 7-20

Aire hit back before the break with another converted score having put together set piece and going through the phases, field position was finally Aire’s. A ‘dale defensive scrum on their 5m was pressurised by Aire’s tight five and Chris Chapman caused all sorts of nightmares for the ‘dale scrum half, snaffling the ball and the score.

The next Aire defensive set marked a major milestone for Aireborough RUFC. Kris Brook leaving the field, Jamie Sykes became the first graduate of Aire’s junior programme to play senior rugby. Making an immediate impact, Jamie smashed everything that moved driving ‘Dale players back at will as they lost ground at significant pace playing downhill. On the back foot, the whistle blew. HT 14-20.

Unfortunately, the second half didn't go to plan for Aire, undone by [yet another] chip from the 'dale 10, who used the tactic well all day, and footwork from the 'dale scrum half, 'dale opened the gap to 14-32, leaving Aire plenty to do in the final 20 minutes.

Scrappy and imprecise, Aire's forwards misfired at lineout time leaving plenty of points out on the pitch - the occasions when ball was secured, Aire looked dangerous, but they didn't find the elusive score until captain Catherall picked up the pace with a tap and go and dotted down after some brilliant footwork to score 10m in from touch.

The final scoreline 19-32 as the conversion was missed, was a fair reflection of the game: 'dale's 9 and 10 were outstanding, as was their full back who caused problems with kick returns during the afternoon.

Aire MOM: Chris Chapman was singled out by coach Si Davies for his work around the park, and by skipper Catherall for playing a single game on the bounce.

Brown Ale: Catherall's showboating before contact (read: before being smashed by the Wensleydale Number 8) earned him the Brown Ale moment this week.

J2O moment: Jamie Sykes took the bubbles this week making an outstanding contribution on debut, on a difficult day for outside backs his work ethic put many of the stalwart-1st XV lads to shame and we're looking forward to seeing Jamie in a senior shirt many more times following that performance.