Yorkshire Division Three: Baildon 6 Stocksbridge 0

TENACIOUS defence, precise ball retention, a functioning set-piece, but, above all, great team spirit helped relegation-threatened Baildon to victory over their fifth-placed visitors.

After the Jenny Lane pitch had passed an early-morning inspection, Baildon began by defending up the slope, Stocksbridge missing their first shot at goal before the home side's Joe Robinson needed blood-injury treatment and Nathan King departed with a cut above an eye, being replaced by Matthew Dixon.

Baildon then lost Sam Thompson and his ability to clear the ruck area, a back injury leading to veteran Phil Wilson coming on.

However, they still managed to twice turnover ball deep in their own territory when it seemed that the south Yorkshire side must score.

Then it was Baildon's turn to apply pressure, with Sam Simons crossing the try-line, only for a Stocksbridge hand to get underneath the ball, while JJ O'Connell was later shoved into touch by the visitors' corner flag.

With the half-time score at 0-0, Baildon found inspiration in the second half from the trio of Strauss brothers, Josh and Harrison being edged out by Luke, who was probably man of the match.

O'Connell and Matt Withers were threatening the visitors' try-line but Baildon had to be content with a penalty for failing to release a player in the tackle, O'Connell's penalty making it 3-0.

Then it seemed that Stocksbridge would surely equalise matters with a penalty of their own, but the kicker's standing foot slipped from under him and an easy three points went begging.

Baildon, with lock Tom Peel setting the standard, then turned the screw, almost scoring a try in the corner, only for Dale Tabiner's effort to be ruled out for a forward pass.

A Stocksbridge player was then yellow carded for coming in at the side of a maul, O'Connell landing the easy penalty to make it 6-0 with ten minutes left.

Only when the referee called "last play" did Baildon's concentration waver, and they conceded three successive penalties for offside, but, with the crowd acting as the 16th man, Baildon forced a final knock on to secure a hard-fought victory.

Tom Bird also played his part, allowing the game to flow when he could but stamping on any nonsense in what was a superb exhibition of refereeing in difficult conditions.