Baildon RUFC

Baildon off track at Hemsworth 

Whenever I take the train from London back home to Yorkshire, I always look out for Moxons Fields at Hemsworth, a sure sign that I am "on track" and back in God's own country. Hemsworth boasts the hardest man in Yorkshire rugby. No, not a player, but the volunteer who goes to collect any match balls that have been booted onto the East Coast main line. Rumour has it that he bounces 120 mph Azuma trains for fun.

You know what you are going to get at this family friendly club. Big, strong backs. A good 10,12,15 combination and hard running forwards. If you are not up for the challenge in the contact area, you will come off second best.

I hope it was not complacency, or worse still arrogance that saw a Baildon team not at the races. Perhaps, charitably, our team had been seduced by a league table that showed Hemsworth struggling for a win. The truth is that any team in Yorkshire Three is capable of playing good rugby, a fact that we should celebrate. 

The first half saw the worst Baildon performance since the first half away at Vandals. Players looked at each other and complained rather than looking to themselves. Highlights for the visitors were difficult to pick out, as an error strewn game saw Baildon possession rarely going beyond second phase before knock on, forward pass or turnover.

Whilst the Baildon scrummage seemed dominant, the linout spluttered and failed at crucial moments with overthrown balls, truck and trailer drives. On opposition throw the target four jumper was a clear threat, but Hemsworth also manufactured possession by a direct quick low throw to the front man on multiple occasions with Baildon seemingly unable to counter or switch on to this move. 

The big Hems 8 broke through soft tackles to set up the first try. (5-0)

Baildon's failure to chop and go low in the tackle was compounded moments later with a tackle that slipped up. The relatively easy penalty kick should have extended Hems lead, but drifted wide.

Two further easy shots at goal from Hems were missed. When Hems opted to go to the corner a catch and drive was sacked illegally and George Morris was shown a yellow card.

Although Baildon had a nudge at the scrum, on their own ball there was a mix up between 8 and 9. Ball was turned over and then the Baildon defence parted like the Red Sea to allow Hems to stroll through under the posts untouched. (12-0)  

Another turnover saw a fine Hems run to the corner for a try, converted from wide out by the Hems kicker who had at last found his range. (19-0)

When Baildon attempted to tap a quick penalty they were prevented from playing the ball and a Hems player was shown yellow. 

Baildon managed a rare incursion into Hemsworth territory but were unable to trouble the scoreboard before half time.

(19-0 HT)  

The second half saw no Hemsworth scores but despite a mounting penalty count in their favour Baildon could not capitalise. Even Baildon's tactical changes seemed badly timed, being undone moments later by forced reshuffles due to mounting injuries.

Speedy Dan suffered a badly trampled knee. Luke Strauss suffered a neck roll that had him complaining about something other than his hamstrings. Matt Fox and Guy Price lifted spirits with a fine rumble down the pitch. A terrible pass almost gave Hemsworth an intercept try and undid all the hard yards.

There was another Hems yellow card, I know not what for but it came after a sequence of penalties for Hems offences.

Jake Duxbury drifted a beautiful pass to Matty Robinson in space who cut back under the posts, a rushed conversion missed. (19-5)

Jake Duxbury, Ollie Williams and Matty Robinson combined to release Tom Massey who performed a lovely show and go. The Hems defence held.

Jake Duxbury was hit high and late with a no arms tackle to the head. Although he had already got the pass away and there was a two on one overlap, play was called back because of welfare concern. For the second time in the match Duxbury passed the concussion screening questions, but it was clear that he had no core stability and he failed the more sensitive balance test. A red card was shown to the Hems tackler.

Baildon pressed and might have felt aggrieved that they did not score to earn at least a losing bonus point. In truth they did not deserve it and had Hems kicked well in the first half they would have been out of sight of even the losing bonus.

The match ended with another Baildon error as an early push at scrum time earned Hems the relief of a free kick. (19-5 FT)

Congratulations to Hemsworth, you were tremendous hosts, played all the rugby and deserved the win. Best of luck with the rest of the season, I hope your victory kicks starts your season. The post match hospitality was excellent by all accounts with the best fine bone china on display.

Well done Baildon for showing some endeavour at the end. Hemsworth have done us a massive favour reminding us that we need to win the contact area and must be more on our game. We need to shore up our 10/12 channnel, we must earn the right to go wide by doing in the hard yards and our accuracy at the breakdown has to improve. Ball retention. Five phase rugby is the minimum for Yorkshire Three.

Thanks to all the volunteers, match officials and those who make our game the greatest sport. A special nod again to the man who fetches the balls from the East Coast main line. Hero.

Also well done to Baildon's Second XV for defending the fortress with a convincing (54-0) victory over a Cleckheaton team that did not give up.