Baildon still believe - if they can keep 15 on the field

IT IS a three-way battle for the two relegation places between Baildon, Bramley Phoenix, who have been deducted 35 league points, and Rotherham Phoenix, but Baildon still believe that they will survive – if they can keep 15 players on the field.

The home side kicked off up the slope on an overcast but dry day, and twice survived Goole line-outs deep in their 22 and a charge-down kick before almost scoring at the other end via Luke Strauss, with the ball just rolling dead.

It was then third time lucky for Goole from an attacking line-out as they stretched Baildon's defence this way and that through ten phases before scoring a try in the right corner.

Baildon's next opportunity, after good work by Nick Lister, was butchered by another dose of white-line fever, and Goole soon made it 10-0 with a second try in the corner and, although Baildon rallied when they had Rhys Holland sin-binned for failing to use his arms in a tackle, they conceded a third try.

A knee injury to player-coach Adam Falkner brought a sorry end to the first half for Baildon, and it got no better at the start of the second half when Goole got their fourth try almost from the kick-off.

Phil Wilson and Nick Lister were then yellow carded for talking to the referee but the hosts defended like trojans for ten minutes to keep their line intact, although Goole were held up over the line at one point.

Joe Robinson was bundled into touch near the Goole line before going off with concussion and, with Baildon pressure not being translated into points, a nasty injury to Garth Darwin prompted the referee to blow for full-time.