Baildon RUFC

Knottingley call themselves “Worms”: I presume a reference to the rich mining heritage of the area. I remember the old boy who did first aid and who wore a Kellingley Pit mining helmet at matches. When I asked why he wore a helmet to provide first aid, he pointed to the spectators and said “bricks”.  Alas; Kellingley, known as “Big K” has gone the same way as Prince of Wales and all the Yorkshire pits. I suppose climate change and the dangerous nature of the work means that we should celebrate the heritage but not mourn the passing of this industry. However there was an undeniable sense of community and belonging that is a legacy of deep mining.

These days the facilities at Knottingley are first class, the welcome warm, the spectators fair and friendly.

Knottingley were to pose challenges to the Baildon team that would be a real test. At times, it looked as though Baildon would pass the examination, holding the lead for decent periods of the match. Ultimately it was Knottingley’s defence, better game management and marginally better discipline that won them the game.

At times Baildon played in the wrong parts of the field and when they did get into attacking positions, failed to look after the ball, forcing passes that were not on and overplaying the inside ball rather than keeping it simple.

This is to nitpick, because Baildon showed wonderful glimpses of what they are capable of and the effort was 100%.

The Worms opened the scoring with a penalty (3-0)

Ollie Shakeshaft made some threatening runs after some good hands, but the Knottingley scramble defence worked hard.

Baildon might have equalised with their own penalty shot at goal, but the ball bounced off the post and past the Baildon players chasing the kick. Chinny Tomlinson departed the field with a knee injury but was replaced by Adam Hewitt who was “chomping at the bit” to get into the game.

Against the run of play Tom Parnell intercepted the ball and ran half the length of the pitch to dot down under the sticks. Jake Duxbury converted. (3-7)

A high tackle gave Baildon a long range shot at goal but the difficult kick fell short. The Worms conceded another penalty and chat back to the whistler earned them a 10 metre march backwards and a yellow card as this was the second time they had been marched back. This time Jake Duxbury was in easy range. (3-10 HT)

Baildon were in front of the kicker at the restart and soon into the second period lost a player with a yellow card for a deliberate knock on. Poor discipline allowed the Worms a life line, field position and an attacking line out. The catch and drive was stopped, but after a number of phases of fluent rugby the Worms moved the ball right then left, finding 14 man Baildon short of defenders in the corner. (8-10)  

Baildon might have stretched the lead back to five points but missed another penalty.

A Worms 22 drop out was charged down, but the charge down bounced fortunately into a home player's hands and the Worms wiggled the length of the pitch, tackled just short of the Baildon try line. Baildon hands in the ruck allowed the Worms to regain the lead after the shot was made easier by Baildon chat back that advanced the penalty ten metres. (11-10)

Baildon now showed some beautiful rugby. Pete Lowth launched off the back of a line out, Josh Strauss took on the ball, Tom Parnell, Danny Pollard, Dan Cookson and Phil Wilson all made yards. When the worms killed the ball, Jake Duxbury took the points and put Baildon back in the lead.    (11-13)

Baildon looked to put in dominant tackles but consecutive penalties were again their undoing and the Worms seized back the initiative. (14-13)

Matthew Dixon came close but poor discipline allowed the Worms to close out the game, which they sealed with a try with only one minute of time to play. (21-13 FT)

A great game of rugby with positives for both sides. For Baildon it was the effort, improving discipline at the breakdown and glimpses of glorious rugby.  

Ollie Murphy had a good shout for man of the match in the first half as he was everywhere you looked, but for the complete 80 minute performance it was Pete Lowth who stole the honours for doing the unglamorous work consistently well.

Massive thanks to players, coaches, supporters and match officials but especially club man Tom Massey for his support from the bench despite not getting a chance to get on the pitch.

Well played Worms and thanks for the wonderful post match hospitality. It was brilliant to see the club full, a family atmosphere and marvel at the pictures of your player’s finger injury from the previous week.