Super Southport send off for Aire Colts

Southport Colts 0 v Aireborough Colts 7

A coach trip to Southport whetted the appetites for the lads and parents in what was to be the final game of age grade rugby. Southport had narrowly lost out to Manchester in the Lancashire cup final the previous week, so a tough challenge lay ahead. Although missing key players (Jack D, Danyal, Rhys, Callum H & Lewis) Aire's team had a solid look about it and 3 subs to be rotated. There had been a senior touring team playing before this game and there was a sizeable and raucous crowd on the sidelines.

Aire started playing up the slight hill and with the left to right wind favoured the hosts. Both teams sounded out there opponents in the early exchanges, which were cagey and error strewn. Southport's sizeable pack had the upper hand in the scrum and comfortably won their own ball whilst Aire's pack creaked under the pressure. Southport had a couple of heavyweight ball carriers, who despite committed tackling invariably breached the gain line and provided front foot ball. Their scrum half had a snappy service which allowed the stand off to dictate the game. Aire were somewhat under the pump playing much of the half in their own third of the pitch, but a combination of relentless defence and errors cost Southport scoring opportunities. Tackling machines like Vaughan Reeves, Matt Tindale & Tom Ayrton all put their shoulders in at crucial times. There was also some impressive last gasp tackles by the backs and 2 occasions in quick succession winger Felix Kraam stood firm and made dominant tackles to prevent what looked like certain scores and Spencer Wood on the other wing also stood firm. As the first half clock began to wind down, Southport began to force plays and turn overs cost them dear.

Once again Aire's ability over the ball was at the fore of their defensive effort with skipper Eddie Farnell and Callum Diamond locking on at vital times to seal crucial pressure relieving penalties. On the few occasions Aire backs had the ball, they looked sharp stand off Joe Priestley unleashing the settled backline to good effect. Harvey Sellers switch to centre has definitely worked out and his additional distribution skills and tactical kicking revealed tangible benefits. Aire's lineout has also massively improved with Finn's throwing accuracy working in tandem with the lifters and jumpers. Aire soaked up the remaining 2 minutes of Southport pressure in the first half and were the happier team at the break.

Bolstered by the slope and wind Aire's tails were up from the start of the 2nd stanza and there was extra belief and spring in their step. There was also some smart tactical kicking to either compete or for territory, which turned Southport and put them on the back foot. The momentum shift allowed Aire's ball carriers like Matt Tindale, Vaughan Reeves and Tom Rudd to punch at the heart of host's defensive line. Current scrum half but aspiring hooker Eliot Bunn began to pull the strings at the set piece and in broken play and the ball zipped through the back line with precision and accuracy. Jonah Lomu like winger Gus Smith made a fabulous break on the right and only some desperate defence hauled him down in time. Aire recycled, but unfortunately an error led to a turn over; however an inaccurate kick was fed to Sammy Woodley, who galloped back deep into Southport's patch. Flanker Ethan Heede was putting himself about in the back row and both 2nd row Tommy Rollinson and hooker Alex Currie looked like a threat with the ball in hand.

Aire were on the front foot, but a combination of good Southport defence and a couple of forced passes frustrated scoring opportunities. Tom Rudd at prop shored up Aire's scrum and fortunes changed with Aire now having dominance over a tiring pack. With a shade under 6 minutes remaining, the home coach declared that they'd already had a 0-0 this season and that he wanted to see a winner. This declaration was followed by a dominant Aire scrum and the ball fizzed from 9 to 12 in the blink of an eye. Harvey proceeded to hit Sammy Woodley on a sumptuous short line and he opened up Southport's defence like Moses and the Red Sea. Sammy glided over to score under the sticks and then proceeded to drop kick the conversion for Aire to take a 7 -0 lead. The final 5 minutes lasted an eternity and one last Southport foray was turned over and that was to be the end of a low scoring, but compelling game.

Both sets of lads had asked nor given a quarter, but in true rugby fashion there was mutual respect and from all involved. Skipper Eddie Farnell gave a rousing end of era speech and then Aire lads sat on the pitch for a few minutes to soak up the atmosphere and evaluate their rugby journeys to adult rugby.

There was then some post match club house shenanigans with Aire MOM Harvey Sellers losing badly in a head to head down in one with Southport's MOM. A disco, sing songs and bar games followed, so a big thank you to Southport for their hospitality

Aire's awards player awards as follows :

Most improved player - Alex Currie due to his transformation from being in the background at the start of the season to nailing down the hooker shirt.

Players Player - Sammy Woodley voted by his team mates for his super consistent performances and try scoring prowess.

Spirit of Aire - Skipper Eddie Farnell epitomises the spirit of Aire and is a leader both on and off the pitch

Player of the season - Matt Tindale has had an extraordinary season and he's been the heartbeat of the pack. Matt gives 110% commitment every game and never takes a backward steep

Next season all of the lads will be eligible for senior rugby and it would be great to see them all back down at Aire next season.As the newly appointed senior head coach I'd love to see the lads back at pre season on Saturday 25th June 2pm followed by a social and then training will revert to Monday & Wednesday evenings at Aire.