Baildon RUFC

George Morris and Baildon's Flying Circus subdue Pythons

With Joe Robsinson unfit from a serious leg shaving/waxing incident, brothers Luke and Josh Strauss with tight hamstrings that have them auditioning for The Ministry of Silly Walks (obligatory Monty Python reference #1), Dan Cookson suffering a freak microwave induced mouth burn courtesy of Ahsan Sakhander, Andy Gritter Magee and Ollie Murphy both having obligatory one match rests for concussion, the Jenny Laners had the chance to defend their fortress by showing the strength in depth of their senior squad.

It was a serious blow when Ross Cordingley twisted a knee and had to hobble off in the first minute of play to join those queueing for sick notes on the Baildon touch line.

Jake Duxbury 's boot put the home side in the right part of the field and Tom Parnell pounced on a loose ball from the Reptiles' scrum half. Parnell fed Tom Cluett who in turn put Paul MacNamara over the whitewash. Converted Jake Duxbury. (7-0)

The home side did not have it all their way, and it was obvious from the outset that the Boa Constrictors had the squeeze on Baildon at scrum time.

Paul MacNamara made breaks, Phil Wilson and Adam Hewitt rumbled, George Morris pilfered at the line out and Baildon looked especially inventive on the right wing where Matty Dixon, Matty Robinson and Tom Parnell interplay bamboozled and charmed the snakes' defence.

Baildon were denied and although awarded a 5m attacking scrum, were unable to retain possession. As the Pythons tried to slither out of their own 22, Harrison Strauss (who else?)  got over the ball in an impressive jackal and won a penalty bang in front of the sticks. Jake Duxbury took the points. (10-0)

The snakes responded. More like Cobras than Pythons, the visitors' fly half picked a pass off his toes and transferred the ball at speed to the right wing in a venomous strike towards the Baildon try line that was denied by a scramble defence. Beautiful rugby! From the ensuing 5 metre scrum the Baildon pack could not hold the shove and retreated at speed. When the shove was negated by the Baildon front row popping up, the whistler had no option but to award the penalty try and show one of the Baildon props a yellow card. Adam Hewitt was deemed to have been the first Baildon forward to have popped up and was sent off for ten minutes rest. "But he's Baildon's Messiah" came an anguished cry from the touch line. Our referee grinned and replied: "He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy". (Obligatory Monty Python reference #2) (10-7)

Great work by James O'Ryan, Tom Massey and Matty Dixon got Baildon back into the reptilian lair. Then a late tackle on Jake Duxbury gave a penalty shot from where the ball had landed. Duxbury made no mistake. (13-7)

With Baildon still at 14 men, the snakes took advantage and once more earned a 5 metre scrum through some lovely play. It was inevitable that they would score, though this time the scrum wheeled. A penalty try was awarded but no card was shown. (13-14) 

On the stroke of half time, a Python high tackle on Harrison Strauss gave the home side another shot at goal. Jake Duxbury did not disappoint. (16-14 HT)

The second half saw a raised intensity of play from both sides. It was pleasing to note that despite the closeness of the match, a combination of great refereeing and fairplay from both teams kept the game entertaining and clean.

Kayne Mazurke began to find holes. The penalty count also started to mount against the visitors and Jake Duxbury had three shots on goal that, whilst difficult, he would usually expect to make.       

When Sam Robinson and Tom Craven came on the Baildon scrum re-established some parity on the tired snakes. Good work by Danny Pollard, Tom Parnell and James O'Ryan launched a promising attack that was halted by a deliberate knock on by a snake. The reptile was shown yellow. 

The Baildon scrum managed a monster nudge. Sam Robsinon earned a penalty at the break down and when the snakes hissed at the referee, they were marched back ten metres for dissent.

Inexplicably though, the Baildon line out chose this moment to splutter and the penalty, kicked into the corner, was not converted into points.

Now it was Baildon's discipline that lapsed. With time ticking away Baildon did not retreat the full ten at a penalty and gave the visitors an easier shot at goal. (16-17)

Baildon had reshuffled their pack and with George Morris struggling with a jarred elbow looked like they might struggle to secure their own line out ball. However (and this is a really pleasing point) the players on the pitch found a solution. Without prompting from the touch line, Danny Pollard was put into the tail of the line to give options. 

It was ball to Pollard off the top of the line out that launched Kayne Mazurke. A high tackle on Mazurke gave a kickable chance. Python players attempted to give Jake Duxbury the "snake eyes" to put him off and the whistler had to have words. Duxbury's shot sailed through the uprights. (19-17)

The final moments were played out deep in Python territory. A good Baildon defensive press drew errors from the visitors and a nice grubber from Jake Duxbury came off reptilian scales to give Baildon one last attack. Matty Robinson came closest but the atttack petered out and our referee blew the final whistle. (19-17)

Thanks to our visitors and their supporters for such a competitive and entertaining match. The Pythons are definitely the strongest team we have faced so far this season. They have a strong set piece and can move the ball in a way that is pleasing to the eye.

Our thanks also to all the sponsors, officials, supporters, players and volunteers that make Saturdays special.

A particular mention to Chris Williams for organising the prosecco social.

Our second XV dug deep and toiled at Harrogate losing (0-69), well done for sticking at it. 

Digging deep and showing desire is perhaps the lesson of the weekend. The most pleasing part of this performance was the desire to defend our fortress. Whilst our scrummage was under the cosh at times, we did not break. Indeed any of the starting front row of Tom Massey, Pete Lowth or Adam Hewitt could have deserved man of the match for their Herculean efforts. However Paul MacNamara had one of his best games in a Baildon shirt. His energy, inventiveness and enthusiasm was a handful for the visitors and Paul got the nod