Aire’s losing start continues at home

(Match Report by Tom Clayton)

Aireborough came into the second league match of the new season looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss away at Halifax Vandals in week one.

The home side named a strong squad to face Hemsworth, a side that Aire did the double over last season. Having worked on the set piece in the week, Aire were expecting a good day in challenging conditions.

The match started in pretty much the worst way it could for the hosts, with Tony Clitheroe going down to injury and Hemsworth scoring a try under the posts. The hosts were 7-0 down and almost immediately out of substitutes in the backs.

Hemsworth were pushing back up the hill as Aire were conceding a few too many penalties. The visitors made the pressure tell and quickly made it 0-10 within the first 10 minutes.

Acting as a wakeup call, the hosts began to push forward down the hill. The Wolfpack’s breakthrough came when the ball found substitute Liam Cree out wide, who cut inside and beat two defenders to score under the posts. Nick Holdsworth converted to make the score 7-10.

Aire began to press Hemsworth as it became clear that going down the hill, they were the stronger side. Once again camped in the Hems 22, Aireborough were edging closer and closer, and from a short, powerful run, Andy Fuller crashed over for his first try in Aireborough colours. Holdsworth missed the conversion, but Aire were leading 12-10

The Wolfpack were over again before halftime, as strong running lines from the backs became too much for Hemsworth, as Holdsworth crashed in short, and offloaded to the supporting Chris Chapman who scored under the posts. Holdsworth went on to convert and extend the lead to 19-10.

Hemsworth crossed the whitewash one more time to end the half, but missed the conversion, giving Aire a four-point lead at half time.

HT – Aireborough 19-15 Hemsworth

The second half needs little description, as Aireborough struggled to retain any kind of possession throughout. The hosts were forced to defend through the second half and barely made it into the Hemsworth half.

One positive aspect of the second half for the hosts was the fact that the set piece was working well, something that had been worked on by the forwards midweek.

Aire also carried well whilst in possession of the ball, always making hard yards and forcing missed tackles from the Hemsworth defence.

Through the second half, Hemsworth went on to score three converted tries, exploiting a lack of communication and defensive discipline from the hosts.

Hems could have scored more but for some good individual tackles and performances in defence. There were a number of big hits that came in from Luke Exley, Tom Clayton and Phil Shopland-Reed.

Liam Cree marshalled those outside him into touch well and made several try stopping tackles that could have made the score line more flattering to Hemsworth than it was.

FT – Aireborough 19-36 Hemsworth

Aire have plenty to work on ahead of the first rivalry match of the season next week. The Wolfpack will travel to Baildon who themselves have had a tough start, and the visitors will look to capitalise.