LMD 8 - 33 Aire

Saturday saw Aire complete the double over LMD for the 17/18 season, with a five try to one showing on a pitch most (if you believe what you hear about Aire’s typical style of play) suggest would not suit “Aire’s big pack”.

The early damage came from clinical rugby and pressure to force a defensive scrum on the LMD 5m. With the ball taken against the head, and the LMD back row back-pedalling, Jonny Mackey (sponsored by Dave Greenwood) picked and scored for his 715th try of the season. Nick Holdsworth added the extras, his kicking seeing a (kindly sponsored by) Step Change this week slotting the first four and narrowly missing his last attempt.

Aire then looked to invite LMD into the game; a string of needless penalties allowed LMD territory and they decided to take three points for their efforts. 3-7.

Aire then dominated for a prolonged period, bombing a couple of tries out wide with LMD defending waves of attack from Aire’s backs. Having stretched the LMD defence across the pitch, Charlie Middleton fought his way over, dragged to the floor to score by Aire forwards. 3-14 and HT arrived with Aire on top.

The second half started with Aire pressing hard into the LMD half, exerting continued set piece pressure, and forwards and backs combining well both with and without the ball.

Aire’s third score came via Luke Exley, sponsored aptly by NW Auto Services in Pudsey, Luke made a show of his wheels. Not content with making a 30m break in midfield after demonstrating great feet to escape would-be tacklers, Luke found himself behind a dominant Aire scrum on the Medics 5m after excellent set piece pressure from Aire’s forwards. Driving over from the back of the forward-moving scrum, Luke made the score 3-19 and Nick added the extras, 3-21 on 50 minutes.

Try four came courtesy of a Matt Osborn break through the centres, pops and passes between Nick Holdsworth, Stu Wilson, Ollie Catherall (sponsored by Scoff) and finally Liam Cree who dotted down. 3-28 once the conversion was made. Liam is kindly sponsored by Phil Knowles.

Aire’s final score went to Chris Chapman, finishing off a score on the left having seen most of the Aire players’ hands during the build up. Holdsworth unable to make his afternoon perfect from the tee, 3-33 with 15 minutes to play.

Medics then showed they shouldn’t be taken lightly, and scored a nice try out wide from distance, the unconverted consolation leaving the score 8-33.

Aire were determined not to be done, and with the last play extending minutes into overtime, Aire pressed until the last. Finally unable to break through, the game ended in the 88th minute, 8-33.

Brown Ale: having come on for the last 5 minutes at inside centre, Jonny Hiles (sponsored by Large) found himself stripped in midfield by the LMD fly half, earning comment from Head Coach Si Davies: “[he] looks like Tarzan, held the ball like Jane”.

Luke Exley rightly picked up the champagne moment for his feet and barnstorming break in the second half.

MoM: Phil Shopland-Reed (sponsored by WKH Plastics) had yet another great game at blindside: work-rate, tackle count and general unglamorous dirty work; but this week’s MoM went to Stu Wilson for his distribution, and marshalling of backs and forwards throughout the afternoon. Stu is kindly sponsored by GMex construction.

Next week sees Aire travel to Hemsworth in a re-arranged fixture from pre-Xmas. Supporters welcome for 2.15pm ko.