Baildon overcome odds to pip Garforth (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Baildon overcome odds to pip Garforth

11:04pm Sunday 22nd November 2009

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Baildon 38, Garforth 26

Despite several players being unavailable and finishing with 14 men, Baildon overcame a terrible start to outplay Garforth and overtake them in the league in this basement battle.

The hosts struggled to adapt to the attrocious weather conditions and to referee David Lynch in the opening exchanges.

They were soon six points in arrears following two Gomersall penalties, one after just 20 seconds.

And matters got worse after 15 minutes when they went 13-0 behind to a Chris Brown try, converted by Gomersall.

Baildon then woke up and started to make inroads into Garforth’s defence down the slope, thanks to strong running from Alistair Beaumont and Danny Helstrip.

Nick Lister and Chris Smithies looked dangerous in the backs and debutant Aron Wilson controlled things from scrum half.

Baildon started their comeback in the 19th minute when Beaumont kicked a penalty following a Garforth infringement at a ruck.

From the restart, Baildon rampaged downfield and Jonny Picken went over for a try, converted by Beau-mont to narrow the deficit to three points.

The Jenny Laners took the lead in the 35th minute with a brilliant chip-and-chase try by No 8 Craig Woodhall, converted by Beaumont.

However, on half-time Gomersall kicked Garforth back into the match with a penalty to trail 17-16 .

Baildon hit back at the start of the second half, Nick Lister kicking deep and Baildon’s pack putting the full back under pressure.

The ball was turned over and Picken pounced after several rolling mauls to score an unconverted try wide out, taking the score to 22-16.

Baildon started to dominate all phases and were rewarded with a long-distance Nick Lister penalty after 52 minutes but the hosts had to make three forward substitutions within five minutes.

Prop Helstrip, second-rower Danny Pollard and Woodhall had to leave the field.

Garforth won a scrum against the head and their left winger Dessie Browne scored in the corner.

The visitors went 26-25 up with another unconverted try on the right wing from Adam Brown.

But Baildon dug deep and were rewarded with a well-taken Nick Lister penalty with only minutes left.

Six minutes into stoppage time, the hosts went down to 14 players after an injury to hooker Dale Tabiner.

However, veteran Andy Pollard (in the second row in place of his son Danny) drove over the line to touch down in the corner and ease Baildon’s fears.

Two minutes later, captain Beaumont stormed in from 40 yards to put the icing on the cake.

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