Just one point in it as Aireborough lose

IN a game where the result has serious league implications an Aireborough weakened through unavailabilities can have no complaints following an inept display. Although opening the scoring with a Gwyn Jones penalty a lethargic Aireborough side lacked commitment and cohesion. Their forwards struggled in the set pieces being totally wiped out in the lines resulting in the team having little forward momentum and not causing the opposition any problems. Reaching half-time after conceding only one converted try owed much to good fortune as Aireborough were completely outplayed during this period.

The second-half saw a much needed improvement from Aireborough as Andrew Wood began to gain clean line-out possession allowing Paul Bottomley to ply his trade and at last apply pressure to the opposition. This resulted in him converting a penalty chance and, against the odds, Aireborough took the lead with a further penalty from Gwyn Jones. However, the game was lost when the home side kicked a penalty in the dying minutes to achieve a victory which should have been sealed much earlier.

l On Saturday Aireborough entertain Sheffield Medicals at Nunroyd Park needing a much improved performance.

Dragons..............12 Ossett A........................ 17

After drawing on their veteran strength, including half-backs Steve Timme and Jack Osborn, a changed Dragons outfit played an enterprising game against opposition who played running rugby at every opportunity. Going behind to an early penalty Dragons scored the best try of the game when Jack Osborn released his backs for winger Kevin Gaunt to race down the touchline with debut centre Jim Dunn taking the inside pass to score.

With possession drying up, Dragons had much defending to do and were grateful for the midfield tackling of flanker Granville Sellars. Penalties by the opposition on either side of the interval again put Dragons behind and with only Mark Robinson gaining possession in the lines they were constantly on the back foot.

A dropped pass in midfield, however, gave Dragon's Paul Nightingale the chance to sprint 50 metres to score and with Denis Foley's conversion a Dragons' win looked possible. This was not to be as the visitors scored a late try and a penalty to dash their hopes.