Match Preview

I think it is fair to say that we all know the importance of this game as we welcome Halifax Vandals to Nunroyd.

With Leeds Mods confirmed to be playing Yorkshire 4 rugby next season, there is still one relegation spot still to be decided. The interesting thing is that there are still 4 sides fighting it out for survival. It would seem that Sheffield Medicals are safe, having a superior points difference. So that leaves ourselves (who currently hold that position), Baildon (2 points above us) and our visitors Vandals, 7 points to the good over us.

This weekend is Vandals' final game of the season where Baildon and ourselves both have 1 game remaining after this round of fixtures (both at home to Thornensians).

Cutting a long story short, if we don't manage to beat Vandals and Baildon beat Hemsworth then we are down. Should Baildon and ourselves both win our remaining games (with Vandals not gaining a bonus point) then Vandals are down. If we win and Baildon lose then all is to play for in our remaining games against Thorne to decide who goes down.

Lets face it, it is a real mess down there however our fate is in our own hands and come 3pm on Saturday, our boys will be ready for the challenge.

In the front row we have 1st XV regulars Martyn Booth, Nick Jackson and Rich Lister leading from the front.

Due to injury sustained last week, Sy 'Big John' Hill is unable to play and so we welcome Adam 'The Fridge' Jackson into the row to give us go forward, he will be joined by Freddie Armstrong who continues to go from strength to strength.

Our first choice back row play together again with Captain Chris Chapman on the blindside, Mikey 'Little John' Dolan at openside and Jonny 'Middle Jon' Mackey starting at number 8.

Stuart Wilson starts at scrum half and Jacob Waugh at stand off: a partnership rekindled from the Knottingley game 2 weeks ago.

The centres sees a return to first team action for the hard running Joe White who will have a partner in crime in Dan Marchbank outside him.

The back 3 lost Harley Stevenson-Cocks through injury on Wednesday however we have plenty of gas out wide with Lewis Myers and Will Marchbank occupying the wings while hot-stepper Jamie Sykes again plays in his favoured position of full back.

To the interchanges, we have a range of experience and youthful exuberance. Tim Baxter, at 56, still puts in great shifts week in week out while wearing Aireborough colours, he offers support in the front row. Then we have the workhorse, Alan Justham and hard hitting Luke Exley who can cover both second row and back row positions. Now to the youth. Exciting talent Harry Beckwith can cover a multitude of positions throughout the forwards and backs while (although he is probably too modest to admit it), versatile Adam Bishop makes up the squad.

This game will certainly not be for the faint hearted.

3pm kick off.

Please come to Nunroyd in numbers to support the boys.

See you there,

Si