Hemsworth 18 - 19 Aireborough

Wharfedale Observer write up is here: Hems vs Aire

On a cloudy afternoon in South Yorkshire, Aire travelled to Hemsworth Rugby Club travelling away against a newly promoted, in form side. After 2 strong victories against Leeds Mods and LMD’s, Aire were under no illusion travelling to Hemsworth would be a completely different battle.

The start didn't go Aireborough's way; after receiving the kick off, Aire absorbed Hemsworth pressure for the first 10 minutes, with big forward carries from their large but mobile pack. After some nifty work around the fringes, Hemsworth’s 8 crashed over in the corner which was converted. 7-0

The Aire pack had Hemsworth pinned into their own half for much of the first half, with Harley Stevenson-Cocks doing a great job of returning their kicks, making the most of Hemsworth poor chasing. Whether it was a simple knock on, or going in to touch, silly mistakes cost Aire from making the most of the chances and they finished the half without anything to show. HT 7-0

Head coach Si Davies’ halftime words were strong, to be only 7-0 down when that was one of the poorest 40 minutes of rugby in recent weeks, was testament to how easily we could turn this around and how we needed to show the grit and determination that had been present at Mods and Medics.

Several penalties from Hemworth gave Aire a great platform to work off, with Nick Holdsworth drilling Aire into Hemsworth’s 22. Off the back of some quick lineout, Stu Wilson and Ollie Catherall worked well at 9-10 to find Luke Exley (Sponsored by NW Auto Services) charging at outside backs 5m outside. Effective 5 points with Nick Holdsworth adding the conversation. 7-7

After some silly ill discipline in the ruck around the halfway, centre Holdsworth decided to tell the referee how to his job properly which unsurprisingly resulted in a further 10m, with the Hemsworth 15 slotting over the 13 points. 10-7

With Aire’s defensive lineout proving a nuisance all afternoon for Hemsworth, Chris Chapman turned over their ball just inside the Hems half. Slick hands from the 9/10 channel put centre Liam Cree into space. With some lovely footwork, Cree outworked their 13 to put wing Rob Johnson into a 2 on 1 just outside the Hemsworth 22. Whether Johnson was aware the Hemsworth 15 hadn’t committed, or he was just too hungover to pass, a lovely dummy outside and the opposing fullback bought it hook line and sinker. Johnson (NOT YET SPONSORED) was in for the try in a move that had surely earned him the brown ale had it not come off. Conversion missed 10-12

Hemsworth replied back every time Aire threatened and this was no different - their 8 and 6 proving a nuisance all afternoon, breaking through the middle of the park, an incredible double tackle from Thomas Copsey and Stu Wilson saved a guaranteed try with their second row (who looked scarily like Aire’s missing man Richard Holmes - whom there's a £50 reward for his safe return to Nunroyd) to drop the ball on the try line.

Brought back for an offside penalty, Hemsworth chose the scrum, with their 8 picking and going wide, brushing off 2 soft tackles to score a strong solo try with the conversion missed 15-12.

After some strong defence from both sides, much of the next 15 minutes was played in the middle of the park by both sides. The referee awarding a somewhat controversial penalty at the scrum, which Aire had dominated all day. Hemsworth 15 again making the 3 points 18-12.

Knowing they needed a converted try to win, Catherall and Stephenson-Cocks helped pin Hemsworth deep in their half. Great turnover ball by hooker Nick Jackson, and lovely back play by Catherall, Cree and Copsey almost gifted the winning try. With the majority of Hemsworth players struggling to get across the pitch, a fantastic line by Alan Justham around the fringe, gave him a 2 on 1 again with the Hemsworth 15. Not wanting to outshine the flair of Johnson’s earlier try, Justham drew the man and put Chris Chapman (NOT YET SPONSORED) under the sticks (special mention goes to Chris, who enjoyed celebrating the try before actually touching the ball down, making the majority of Aire players and spectators incredibly nervous). Holdsworth made the conversion 18-19.

The dying minutes of the game weren’t without excitement - Aire punished for a deliberate knock on, without actually touching the ball, Hemsworth had a chance to win the game with a kick 40m out. The kick going well wide breathed a huge sigh of relief for the travelling squad.

A tough day against a very strong team, and definitely one of our ugly wins - Captain Catherall’s post match words “not many teams have come here with 4 points this season and to win ugly, when things don’t go your way, is a sign you’re on the right tracks”.

Man of the Match: A few contenders this week made it a tough choice - many of the forwards carried well, with the scrum and lineout rarely both as dominant. Harley Stephenson-Cocks had a strong game from fullback with some great carries. This week however goes to Charlie Middleton who was a nightmare for Hemsworth for every one of his 72 minutes, dominating in the scrum and across the park.

Champagne Moment: This weeks Champagne moment goes to Rob Johnson, for one of the most outrageous dummies to be thrown in Yorkshire 3. Not only did the move set up the try, but it gifted Aire the moment which went on to win the game.

Brown Ale Moment: A few contenders this week - Chris Chapman celebrating before he’d already scored a try, however for completing the seemingly impossible feet of missing touch inside his 22, yet going straight out when outside - Stu Wilson wins this weeks award for his flawless kicking display.

Aire host Skipton @ Fotress Nunroyd on Saturday 17th February and would love all support there, with the away fixture earlier this year proving a fiery encounter.