Pythons 19-12 Aire

Aire travelled to Harrogate Pythons’ new ground at Station View for their first competitive rugby of 2018, and the squad was bolstered by returnee Adam Jackson (sponsored by Pizza House), in the squad for the first time since early November.

Unfortunately, it took Aireborough’s 25 minutes to wake up, by which time Pythons had opened up a 12-0 lead.

Their first try came from good and prolonged ball retention, big carries from forwards and ultimately a snipe from their always-lively scum half putting ‘Gate in in the corner. The second came from an Aire missed tackle in midfield.

And then Aireborough’s woke up; the scrum that had been steadily going backwards was sured up with the introduction of Nick Jackson and Lewis Eastwood (both awaiting sponsors), and Tom Pendriss (with whites nearly as pearly as Shoppers, Tom is sponsored by Ilkley Dental Care) moving to the row. Field position finally gained, the Aireborough catch-and-drive worked well, with Nick Jackson being denied a try as the referee blew up early giving the previous phase held up.

Aire earned a penalty in front of the sticks in resulting phases, unfortunately pulled wide by skipper Ollie Catherall (sponsored by Scoff).

But, from the resulting field position, Aire exerted pressure, and despite turning the ball over, the resulting Pythons scrum was disrupted (some top work from Chris Chapman) and Stu Wilson (sponsored by Greg Marchbank and Paul Exley) sniped in return under the sticks.

Half time, 12-7 to Pythons.

The second half started with Aire gaining field position, with a lineout 10m out after a ‘Gate infringement. Good disruption from ‘Gate meant ball wasn’t clean for Nick Jackson at the back of the line, and scrappy play allowed Pythons to clear.

The next score went to ‘Gate; their 9 pinning Aire back deep with some quality nudges, Aire’s own kicking left ‘Gate with a lineout on Aire’s 22m. Having won the ball, the Pythons fly half caught Aire on their heels, coasting virtually untouched under the sticks. Conversion added, 19-7.

‘Gate then appeared to tire, and with 25 minutes to go seemed to be looking to hold on. Aire looked to capitalise, making a number of busts and clean breaks, only for basics to let them down; dropped passes and lack of numbers at breakdowns resulted in easy turnovers for ‘Gate.

Aire did put together a monstrous drive from 35m out to score in the corner after a coordinated forward effort, marshalled by Stu Wilson and the try ultimately scored by Jonny Mackey (sponsored by Dave Greenwood). Conversion missed, 19-12.

Unfortunately, the scorers were not troubled in the last 10 minutes, and Aire ran out of time to impact the result.

Pythons took their chances and the 12-0 lead they opened up in the first 25 minutes with some decent rugby was the deciding factor on the scoreboard.

Aire will be looking to regroup at training before next week’s fixture against Old Otliensians.

MoM: Outstanding around the park, Chris Chapman was singled out by coach Si Davies as Aire’s man of the match this week.

Chappers is currently not sponsored, and with his tally of mentions higher than most, please do get in touch (r.w.lister@dunelm.org.uk) for sponsorship opportunities.