Baildon RUFC

We love Saturdays. Especially World Cup Saturdays when England play, play well and beat the All Blacks. Mick Massey said "It's just like Christmas". Andrea Massey added: "but with smiles". Indeed we have photographic evidence. Mick, whose face normally resembles that dog who sells car insurance, is renowned for the type of grumpy looks that would make an irritable gorilla avert its gaze.  

With many Yorkshire Three fixtures called off because of waterlogged pitches and with our own 2nd XV fixture postponed, Baildon travelled to Ossett with a bench bolstered by Dan Fletcher and the Chabalesque Chinny Tomlinson. This was fortunate as too much rich living had caused a case of acute gout leading to late withdrawal whilst another player was unavailable due to club disciplinary.

Baildon started well and it was the visitors who had the first chance of points through the boot of Jake Duxbury, but the penalty drifted wide. (0-0)

An excellent Ossett interception and Baildon indiscipline put the home side on the attack. From a five metre scrum the Ossett number eight picked and drove towards the try line with a Baildon missed tackle contributing to the try. (5-0)  

Jake Duxbury narrowed the deficit with a penalty (5-3)

Matty Robinson won a turnover and good kick pressure from Speedy Dan Williams presented a chance for James O’Ryan and Jake Duxbury but the ball beat both to the dead ball line.

Another period of Baildon pressure saw Ossett playing with great ambition out of their own in goal area.

Jake Duxbury gave Baildon the lead with another penalty. (5-6)

When a Baildon penalty kick failed to make touch, the chase was good. George Morris intercepted, juggling the ball before getting it under control and running in Baildon’s first try, converted Duxbury. (5-13)

George Morris leapt and made an exquisite take on opposition line out throw. The ball was moved wide quickly. Ollie Murphy drew defenders and timed his pass to perfection putting Danny Pollard in space. Pollard raced to the corner but realised that he would not beat the scramble defence cover tackle and, not hearing the call of the support runner, he intelligently opted to kick into space. Jake Duxbury profited collecting the ball and dotting down, converting his own try. (5-20 HT)

Baildon opened their second half account with a Jake Duxbury penalty. (5-23)

Danny Pollard tapped a penalty and made yards. A teasing kick through saw an Ossett defender isolated. Jake Duxbury got over the ball and was awarded a penalty. Baildon’s set piece was now dominant and the scrum option was taken. Chinny Tomlinson on at number eight controlled the ball at the back of the scrum as the Ossett pack were marched backwards over their own try line. Tomlinson, in an armchair ride, scored. Converted Duxbury. (5-30)

Ossett earned a yellow card for persistent infringement rather than anything nasty.

Three Baildon players were through on a ball with the try line beckoning and no defending player in sight. The knock on earned Dick o’ the day.

Now Baildon saw yellow for a deliberate knock on.

Ossett could not convert pressure into points thanks to a tremendous defensive shift. Dan Fletcher in particular playing well off the bench.

Matty Robinson and Tom Parnell combined to put Jake Duxbury under the posts for the bonus point try. (5-37)  

Ossett had the last say, just reward for their endeavour and effort, with a try in the corner in the final minutes. (12-37 FT)

In the try scoring movement Speedy Dan Williams suffered a concussion and neck injury. Many thanks to Chris Williams and the Ossett support who helped stabilise Speedy’s neck and transfer him to the ambulance. The match official, with admirable consideration to player welfare, blew the final whistle. We wish Speedy an appropriately rapid recovery and are pleased to note his discharge from the LGI once his neck was cleared. The only casualty is Speedy’s brand new match shirt which, to the great consternation of the treasurer, was cut from Speedy’s back in the Accident and Emergency department.

Thanks to all the players, supporters, volunteers and match officials. What a great day of rugby.