Sat 28 Sep 2019
The Aireborough game is one of the most keenly contested fixtures of our season as befits a friendly local rivalry.
The Seconds had been urged to "defend our fortress", whilst the First XV wanted to make a statement at Nunroyd Park and secure bragging rights.
The pitch at Nunroyd, affectionately known as "The Swamp" was in pristine, most unswamp-like condition; reflecting Aireborough's considerable investment in the playing surface during the off season. Another nice touch was the presence of well kitted out age-grade section players who, with the "Wolf Pack" team mascot, formed a guard of honour to clap the Aire team onto the pitch. What a great idea, a great way to establish inter-generational connections and attract a family orientated crowd to watch the senior team. The civilising influence of a family friendly, well behaved crowd has much to recommend it. It may have even made your poison pen wielding reporter less toxic than usual. The other thing to note was the youth of the home team. OK, at my age, ALL teams look young but this seemed an especially young opposition. This shows the benefit of a club that invests in growing its own players through the age grade section.
Matty Robinson had the best of the early kicking duel and it seemed Baildon would notch up an early score when Tom Parnell was through and under the posts, only for the move to be called back for a Baildon scrum, I presume a double knock on.
Tom Parnell was not to be denied. In the very next play Paul MacNamara drew defenders and Parnell slipped a tackle before dummying the last defender to score. Conversion Jake Duxbury. (0-7)
Having scored, Baildon then switched off; turning ball over, knocking on and conceding penalties in the tackle area. Aireborough could not take advantage and it was the visitors who had the next chance for points when a Jake Duxbury penalty drifted wide.
Tom Cluett, Tom Parnell and Jake Duxbury linked with some delightful, quick interplay down the left wing but the move faltered.
Aire' conceded a penalty and were walked back a further ten metres for dissent, but Baildon could not secure the resulting attacking line out.
Baildon's line speed and dominance in the collision earned another penalty. This time the catch and drive was executed cleanly, allowing Kayne Mazurke to launch off the back of the ruck and score in the corner, converted Duxbury. (0-14)
Aire' hit back with a penalty when Baildon strayed offside. (3-14)
In the last action of the (exceedingly long by my watch) half, Jake Duxbury had another shot at goal following a penalty for a high tackle. The attempt missed. A good half with a strong set piece, aggressive defence but with too many errors and some poor discipline around the ruck. Baildon's young players Ollie Murphy and Ollie Williams had stood out, Williams being especially difficult around the base of the home side's scrum. For the home side, the Aire' outside centre stood out. (3-14 HT)
Aire' started the second half strongly and deservedly scored in the corner courtesy of a break down the blind side and some soft Baildon tackles. (8-14)
Baildon pressure won successive penalties, the second in kicking range where Jake Duxbury made no mistake. (8-17)
Jake Duxbury then combined with Danny Pollard and Tom Parnell to unlock the Aire' defensive line, but the ball was knocked on with the try line begging.
Ross McUrich had entered the fray and having just arrived on the pitch was shown yellow for a deliberate knock on.
Adam Hewitt pilfered an overthrown Aire line out and won a penalty in good field position. Duxbury obliged. (8-20)
Aire then made the most of their numerical advantage, trundling down the pitch to score their second try and bring the match back to a one score game and a fair reflection of the close contest. (13-20)
Aire received a yellow card. The match official made the gesture for chat, so perhaps it was for dissent?
Tom Parnell, now at scrum half, saw a gap in the Aire defence from the base of the scrum and darted through to score. Converted Duxbury. (13-27)
Parnell was in the action again when he hacked a loose ball through and was in under the posts. The score was chalked off and the move brought back for a Baildon offside.
Harrison Strauss turned over ball in his own 22 and set off on a length-of-the-pitch gallop. Although Strauss was denied Adam Hewitt got his hands on the ball. It looked for all the world like Hewitt would go into bulldozer mode but Jake Duxbury had seen space and was screaming for the ball. The cogs whirred and clunked and Hewitt passed! Duxbury set off in an arc and released "Speedy Dan". Dan Williams, introduced from the bench, was a late call up and playing his Baildon debut. If he was dinosaur "Speedy Dan" would be a Velocityraptor, his favourite breakfast is Fleetabix and he eats four....he is quick fast rapid with wheels on. I am sure I heard a sonic boom as "Speedy Dan" dotted down. Converted Duxbury. (13-34)
Harrison Strauss might have been the next on the score sheet as he chased a chip into the in goal area, but the ball won.
Tom Parnell did score with a kick through as space began to open up in the Aire backfield. Converted Duxbury. (13-41)
Speedy Dan and Tom Cluett both might have had tries, but were denied by good Aire' defence.
Aire' ended strongly but as the clock went red (finally - another half where "time stood still", perhaps Speedy Dan was so quick that he had distorted the space-time continuum?) Baildon turned over Aire ball on their own try line and booted it into touch. I asked who secured the crucial turnover. "It will be Harrison, who else?" came one answer. "Give it to Chewitt" said another, "he'll claim in anyway" another more sensible voice said it was Matt Fox. (Post publication edit: several claims for the turnover have been received, the most insistent from Panny Dollard.) (13-41 FT).
Back to back bonus point wins on the road. Well done.
Meanwhile, back at Fortress Jenny Lane, the seconds had more than done their job with a (45-7) home victory.
Thanks to Aireborough, a great club with strong foundations. The scoreboard doesn't reflect how close the game was and I am sure that good things will come. Your welcome was warm and the post match lasagna very tasty. Like many clubs, Baildon senior players support age grade and girls rugby; but I hope more clubs emulate your idea of getting the age grade section involved on senior rugby match days.
Thanks to our match officials, all the volunteers and supporters who make Saturdays so special.
