Aireborough 16

Leeds Corinthians 16

With a nailbiting finish and a Druce penalty conversion in the 84th minute, Aireborough felt somewhat lucky to come away with that all important league point.

The perfect conditions helped Aireborough in the first-half as they enjoyed the majority of possession and opportunities.

Putting the away side in front after 16 minutes Nick Holdsworth took the chance for a shot at goal from a penalty; however things soon evened up again as Leeds managed to do the same 16 minutes later.

Tactics mainly consisting of disrupting the opposition in all aspects, especially rucking and mauling, seemed to be working for Leeds as they held Aireborough off for the remainder of the first-half, until scrum-half Williams took a quick tap penalty four minutes into injury time.

After passes from Smith and captain Stanley winger Matthew Osborn was put in for a cracking try.

The second-half proved a bit more difficult for Aireborough but an 8-3 scoreline was soon extended when fly-half Nick Holdsworth dashed in under the sticks for his fourth try of the season, the score 13-3.

Locks Paul Exley and Stuart Cove proved why they're in the first team in the next few periods of play, as; along with No 8 Beddard and flanker Davidson they made countless tackles. In attack Aireborough proved threatening. Winger Nathan Smith, prop Simon Carbutt and centre Stanley all came within inches of the try line.

Two unconverted tries and a penalty conversion put Corinthians into a deserving three point lead with only injury time left.

This injury time saw some shock tactics from Aireborough who somehow forced an error within kicking distance after a fumbled clearance kick from a cocky opposition full-back.

Wishing to seal the game and win they were disheartened when full-back James Druce stepped up to convincingly convert the penalty and seal that ever important point.

l On Saturday Aireborough see what could be named as their toughest challenge yet, this being a home league fixture against the previously unbeaten league leaders Old Otliensians.

Dragons 33

Leeds Corinthians 19

Aireborough Dragons hosted Leeds Corinthians with the team on a high after an impressive victory over Knaresborough the week before.

In a match that can be best described as ugly, Aireborough eventually managed to grind out a victory against a Corinthians side that really should have been out of the game by half-time.

The home side started the strongest, with the front row trio of Dave Greenwood, Gary Mvenge and Simon Sharp dominating the scrums, and Sacha Coric and Martin Hemsley taking everything in the line-out.

Things were going to plan when veteran James Kinghorn finished off an impressive backs' move to touch down in the corner - stand-off James Stocker adding the extras.

Despite the obvious superiority of the home side, some dropped possession and missed tackles allowed Corinthians to score twice against the run of play to go in 12-7 at half-time.

The second-half was a painful affair from start to finish with the Corinthians' front row deciding that they were no longer able to compete with their counterparts forcing the referee to call all further scrums uncontested.

A continual stream of injuries meant that the Corinthians physio was spending more time on the pitch than off it, and when play was able to break out the visitors seemed intent on pushing the laws of the game to the limit and arguing amongst themselves.

When rugby did eventually manage to break out Aireborough were able to show their class scoring a further four tries to Corinthians one, through Tom Holdsworth, Huw Williams and two from James Stocker, the latter also adding a further three conversions.

With the sun setting the referee was finally able to blow the final whistle with the home side emerging victorious 33-19.

Aireborough will be glad to put this fixture behind them and should walk away with much credit for the way that they were able to maintain their composure throughout a difficult afternoon.

Leeds Corinthians B 5

Aireborough B 12

AIREBOROUGH B demonstrated that skill and guile will always prevail, and defeated a numerically stronger Corinthians side.

In a hard-fought match, in more ways than one, Aireborough played the better rugby and overcame being two players short to record a great win.

The pack showed great technique in the scrum and won all their own ball.

An athletic and rejuvenated Dickie Sweetman dominated the line- out, and not only caught Titch Turnbull's throws but also disrupted the opposition so much that towards the end of the game he was winning everything.

The first try came from a scrum near to the Corinthians' line. Reluctant scrum-half Steve Gaunt took the ball, passed to centre Jon Sellers who deftly put in Mike Tully to barge over the line.

The try was converted by newcomer Andy Pickup.

Indeed, Pickup's all round running, kicking and tackling earned the Man-of-Match accolade and he is set to prove another promising find for the team scouting system.

Corinthians scored an unconverted try before half-time to make it 7-5 to Aireborough at the break.

Having eventually found the pitch latecomer Adam Windass made a big difference in the second-half.

Aireborough missed a penalty chance early in the half but made amends later by scoring another try.

Corinthians kicked ahead but the ball was gathered by the Aireborough backs who passed along the line to winger Steve Hargreaves.

He went on a barnstorming run from 20 yards breaking tackles and knocking down would be tacklers like nine pins before crossing the line to score.

This was not converted but nevertheless was just reward for Aireborough.

Towards the end of the game prop forwards Adrian Wedgwood and Ian Wilkinson were involved in a ferocious maul. Unfortunately this led to second row Craig Thackary suffering a serious back injury and the referee blew up early to allow the ambulance to be called.

This was fortunate for Aireborough, since the home side were just about to score.

Despite riding their luck it was a well-deserved victory carved out of adversity by the third team.