Yorkshire Division Three: Leeds Medics & Dentists 5 Baildon 27

UNDERSTRENGTH Medics switched their fixture to allow their new Weetwood pitch to bed in, gifting Baildon home advantage, and they made it count.

Baildon had first use of the slope in sunny, dry conditions and soon won a penalty when a Medic tackler was penalised for not releasing, but JJ O’Connell stuttered as he addressed the ball, and it struck the right-hand post with his attempt.

Further Baildon pressure came to nothing as they were penalised for a “truck and trailer” but they then held out under their own posts when Medics spurned an easy kick at goal.

Baildon then blew an opportunity of their own with a loose pass but soon took the lead with an O'Connell penalty, and he also scored their first try as their forwards imposed themselves after Danny Pollard won turnover ball and Luke Strauss and Robbie Hill were involved after O'Connell had kicked ahead.

His excellent conversion from the touchline made it 10-0 but Medics then missed an easy penalty after James Fox went high in a tackle.

The Leeds club went in at half-time 17-0 down as O'Connell kicked ahead and Hayden Lister belly-flopped on the ball as it crossed the line, O'Connell again adding the extras.

Medics, realising that the scoreboard was not a fair reflection, redoubled their efforts, and were rewarded with a try by full back Phil Gardiner, but again they missed the easy kick at goal.

Baildon then had prop Adam Hewitt yellow-carded for a high tackle but it didn't matter that they were a man light as Luke Strauss intercepted another loose Medics pass to run the length of the field to score.

Medics lost their cutting edge in the last 20 minutes, and Ryan Kershaw and Matty Robinson went close for Baildon before they secured the bonus-point try via Peel, who cantered over in the corner.