Baildon RUFC

With many pitches unplayable after a sequence of named storms: Ciara, Dennis, Jorge and an impending Corona Virus ban on major sporting events which would surely apply to Yorkshire Three matches; it was a relief to have a rugby game on. In fact the pitch at Middleton was in fine condition, conducive to an attractive running style of rugby on which the home side have built a successful season where they deservedly sit top of the league and, like Baildon, hitherto undefeated at home. This fixture had even the neutrals licking their lips like the match had been coated in a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices.

The match lived up to its billing, a fabulous game of rugby and a credit to both teams and coaches.

Baildon started brightly playing into a strong breeze, going through the phases with good ball retention. Corinthian line speed and discipline at the breakdown posed problems to the visitors who were frequently caught behind the gain line. Great energy with players working back gave Baildon options. Phil Wilson, Oli Murphy and Dan Cookson offered themselves as ball carriers to keep the defence honest around the narrow channels whilst James O’Ryan and Tom Parnell exploited any gaps with half breaks. A Baildon surge featuring Paul Macnamara and Jake Duxbury was held up over the try line. When Baildon earned a penalty Jake Duxbury took the points.

(0-3)

The restart was kicked deep and found a great touch, but the Baildon line out, bossed by Oli Murphy, was assured and the visitors got an exit.

More phases by Baildon worked the visitors into Corinthians 22. Tom Parnell spotted space behind the flat onrushing defence, chipped and was unlucky to knock on in his attempt to regather a ball that would surely have seen him under the sticks.

There was a kick exchange that saw Nathan King running into space, finding Jake Duxbury then looping round to take a return pass. Beautiful rugby. Paul Macnamara continued to be a nuisance in the loose, as irritating to the Corinthians players as a little girl in pig tails is to middle aged climate change deniers. Meanwhile Tom Parnell probed and teased the defence like Joe Marler playing with Alun Wyn Jones’ gentleman’s area.

Baildon would toil up the pitch but Corinthians would use the wind to undo Baildon’s good work and recover territory. In an incursion into Baildon’s 22 Corinthians earned a penalty and took the points to level the score.

(3-3)

A Nathan King kick chase forced a Corinthians handling error and Baildon might have played out the half in Corithian territory. Corinthians managed to snaffle the ball and put it deep. There were no complaints when a high tackle was spotted and Luke Strauss was shown yellow. Corinthains added to their points from the resulting penalty.

(6-3)   

14 man Baildon worked again into Corinthians half, with Harrison Strauss and Thomas Stanley skittling Corinthian players as they charged down the pitch with the fury of housewives in a supermarket aisle panic buying toilet rolls. There were some handbags as a penalty was awarded to Baildon. Despite players from both sides being involved, only one yellow was shown, this to the perplexed Josh Strauss who was to report that he did not retaliate and his only offence was to be punched. Despite Baildon’s yellow card, the penalty was not reversed and Jake Duxbury used his boot to good effect to bring the half to a close, honours even.

(6-6 HT)

Later in the day the England team manager, Eddie Jones, was to make an ill judged comment about 13 men playing 16. 13 man Baildon did indeed need to dig deep and lockdown their defence tighter than a plague affected town in Hubei province. In fact Baildon were to do better than the national team, only conceding one try as Corinthians made the two man advantage count, rounding Baildon’s edges and dotting down under the sticks.

(13-6)

Luke Strauss rejoined the field from his “self isolation” bin, bringing Baildon back to 14 men and had an immediate impact. Luke Strauss stripped the ball in the tackle and James O’Ryan kicked into the space. Tom Parnell pounced to score the try and Jake Duxbury added the extras.

(13-13)

Now back to full strength Baildon began to force errors, use the elements and play in the right parts of the field.

Multiple Baildon drives towards the line saw James O’Ryan held up. From first phase ball Jake Duxbury ran a lovely arc, drawing defenders and putting Luke Strauss into space that ought not to have been there. Luke Strauss was in at the corner.

(13-18)

Corinthians continued to play with endeavour running everything and playing wonderful rugby but in the wrong (from their perspective) parts of the paddock as they struggled to play the elements. Baildon scrambled well.  

Phil “Turkey Head” Wilson, playing a full match, took a knee whilst a Corinthian player received attention from the Corinthian’s physio. The physio looked over to Wilson and asked “should he be playing with such a swollen head?” Once the physio had been reassured that Wilson’s enormous head was normal for him, play resumed. Almost immediately the wily Wilson won a penalty as a trapped Corinthian player failed to roll away.  Although the penalty shot drifted wide Baildon were to get a second shot at goal when Corinthians strayed offside. These were to be the final points of the match as Jake Duxbury’s kick denied the home side the solace of a losing bonus point.

(13-21 FT)

This was a match that either side could have won and did both teams great credit. Many thanks to all players, supporters and our match officials. Our Second XV did a great job of defending Fortress Jenny Lane. There is a task to maintain our home record whilst we challenge at the top of the league.

REMINDER State of Mind mental wellbeing event at the clubhouse 7pm to 9pm 10th March