A wet and windy win!
Aire finally managed to hold on to a lead and came away from Skipton with a well deserved win after a hard fought game played in atrocious conditions. Both teams to their credit tried to play entertaining rugby and provided an exciting if wet and windy af
Aire were lacking four regular players but the return of fly-half Matt Osborn and the desire to impress new coach Paul Exley proved to be the difference between the teams.
Starting well Aire provided the early pressure and were rewarded in the fifteenth minute when the forwards mauled their way to the Skipton line for second rower Mark Howorth to crash over for a try converted by Nick Holdsworth. A penalty ten minutes later saw Aire extend their lead. Skipton refused to let the game go further away from them and camped in the Aire half, Aires defence held firm but two penalties by the home team saw Aire with a 10-6 lead at half time.
The game was equally matched throughout the second half, the deadlock being broken when Aires centre Nick Holdsworth produced a brilliant show and go to score under the posts. His conversion extending the lead to 17-6. A try with minutes to go put Skipton within winning distance and the Aire faithful were fearing a repeat of the two previous games, but this was not to be the case and the defence held firm to give them the victory.
Aire entertain Thornensians at Nunroyd Park next week.