Abundance of positives despite narrow loss to league challengers

Doncaster 26 v Aireborough 15

Unsurprisingly Aireborough were once again on the road and this time the venue was Castle Park to face Doncaster on their AGP. Injuries and holiday season robbed Aire of several influential players; however they were bolstered by the return of 2nd row Tommy Rollinson who had been out for 4 months with a concussion suffered at that very location. Aire only had 16 players available, but despite knowing the challenge ahead relished their opportunity to revenge an ill tempered cup loss in December. In contrast Doncaster's technical area had a full compliment of subs and an abundance of coaches to rival Tyson Fury's entourage.

Aire started with a left to right wind against them although their kick off was on the money and the solid chasing line put Doncaster under pressure. Doncaster recycled the ball and fancied their chances putting it through the hands. A break looked on, but the ball was spilled and Sammy Woodley was quickest to react and fly hacked through to outpace the turning defence to score in the left corner. The conversion was shanked, but Aire were buoyed and galvanised by their early score. The hosts looked sharp when they went wide and their right wing was electric with the ball in hand , with only last ditch tackles preventing a score. Aire were certainly up for the intensity and physicality, with both teams aggressive with or without the ball. Aire had absorbed some pressure in their 3rd, but turned over possession and gained good ground with a Harvey Sellers howitzer. It was now Doncaster's turn to be in their 22m, but heads up rugby identified a narrow Aire defence on the right and accurate passing found the speedster who outpaced several defenders to score under the sticks.

Aire's scrum was under pressure, but no8 Matt Tindale and scrum half Danyal Aslam put their heads and bodies where it hurts to salvage retreating ball. Doncaster had taken the sting out of Aire's game and they began to up the ante and turn the screw in Aire territory. Aire's rear guard defence was stressed through the middle and out wide but a series of last gap tackles frustrated Doncaster. The pressure finally told when their dynamic hooker went through a dog legged defence to make it 14-5 with plenty of time remaining. Aire were very much on the back foot and were under extreme pressure on their 5m when a turn over appeared to provide an attacking opportunity. Unfortunately the accuracy just wasn't their and a coughed up ball gifted Doncaster a walk in to take it to 21-5. The writing seemed to be on the wall, but this revitalised Aire team had different ideas. A peach of a re-start saw Tommy Rollinson galloping like a gazelle and then rising like a salmon to take the ball from the clutches of the would be catcher. This set up some field position and Aire began to build some momentum with heavy carries from likes of Tom Ayrton, Matt Tindale and Finn Eastcott, but the half time whistle stalled their advance.

The half team talk was full of positives and a collective understanding of what had to be done to get back into the game. Aire were forced into a change when prop with Vaughan Reeves replacing Tom Rudd. Gus Smith came off the wing and was clearly excited at the prospect of playing flanker. Despite another Doncaster score the early skirmishes went Aire's way and their scrum began to dominate providing a solid platform for the 9's to distribute. It was now Aire's turn to stress Doncaster and ill discipline cost them repeated penalty kicks one of which was 15m out. Aire tapped and the ball found abrasive centre Harvey Sellers who stepped one defender and then carried 2 others over for a fine try in the corner. Spencer Wood's conversion was on target but it fell short in the strong wind to make it 26-10. Aire were in the ascendancy and with 10 minutes to go their tails were up scenting an unlikely come back. Aire bombarded the retreating Doncaster defence and time and again looked dangerous. A combination of indiscretion and chelping rightly put Doncaster on the radar of the referee and quick fire penalties gave Aire momentum. Gus Smith had made an instant impression at flanker and his size and power made good ground into opposition 22m. Vaughan Reeves was back at no 8 and his dynamism and power of the base of a go forward scrum punched at the heart of Doncaster's defence. Reevo was aided and abetted by Tom "hit & spin" Rudd which was complimented by Tommy Rollinson's agile foot work, pace & power. Flanker Ethan Heede added an injection of potency both with and without the ball and talismanic skipper Eddie Farnell hunted down attackers and covered every blade of grass.

Doncaster were again penalised and Aire's instinct was to attack and a slick passing from backs Danyal Aslam, Joe" Guiseppe" Priestley, Eliot Bunn found impressive hooker Alex Currie on the left. The defence was drifting and it looked certain Alex would be taken into touch, but a combination of footwork, strength & determination saw him carry over 3 defenders to score. Spencer's conversion looked spot on but again the wind denied him 2 points to make it 21-15.

There were 3 minutes left on the clock and the re-start was safely snaffled and Aire began working back up field. Harvey spotted a rush defence and superb chip bounced perfectly and only a fine covering tackle prevented another score. Doncaster's entourage were willing the clock down and despite a valiant resurgence Aire ran out of time to stake what would have been a despite the odds comeback. Aire's final foray deep into Doncaster territory was repelled and the final whistle was blown with mutual respect all round.

The sheer volume of Injuries have been challenging for Aire this season and at times the outlook has been gloomy; however the last 5 performances have shown tangible development and improvement. Make no mistake Doncaster away would be an immense challenge for the majority of Colts teams in Yorkshire, but this Aire Colts team led by inspirational captain Eddie Farnell pushed Doncaster all the way.

In a game like this it's difficult to pick out individuals, because it was a true 16 man effort and as such there's no MOM award this week.

Next week we're away at Malton 12:00 meet for 1pm KO.