Hornsea .............7

Aireborough....42

FIVE tries from No 8 Tony Exley gave Aireborough a comfortable victory in their opening league game.

Having to defend staunchly in the early stages, Aireborough held out and slowly grew in stature to be well on top at the end. Seasoned prop Dave Greenwood made a rare touchdown but the opposition had no answer to Tony Exley's powerful runs.

Aireborough's strength was also in their counter-attack where, from broken play, the ball passed through many hands for wingers James Williams and Mike Neild to score. Their only conversion came from scrum-half Gwyn Jones. Flanker Martin Hemsley had his best game of the season with his all round cover and support and centre Peter Booth plugged the gaps in midfield.

Dragons.................63

Menwith Hill............3

Scoring 11 tries at Nunroyd Park gave Dragons an easy victory over first team opposition. Dominating all phases of the game, they opened the score when prop Jim Dolan spotted a gap to dash to the line. This was followed by tries for winger Matt Grant, back row players Steve Richings and Paul Nightingale and two for Steve Brewer.

Second-half substitute centre, Adrian Midgley, showed his experience with two touch downs and with Matt Grant completing a brace of scores and Paul Nightingale a hat-trick, Dragon's supremacy was complete. Four conversions from Steve Brewer enabled Dragons to reach their highest score of the season. The team has a healthy mix of youth and experience and in this form can look forward to a good season.

l On Saturday Aireborough entertain strong league contenders Wakefield Cougars at Nunroyd Park - kick-off 3.00pm.

Otliensians A

finish on top

Otliensians A..............25

Huddersfield YMCA....7

With Halifax Vandals being unable to raise a second XV, Huddersfield YMCA agreed to travel to Chaffers Fields. Otliensians forwards dominated the early exchanges but poor midfield handling spoilt several promising moves.

Eventually Tony Hudson kicked a penalty but skipper Fraser Ritson had to leave the field for attention to a damaged nose and was replaced by Derek Mott.

The visitors came more into the game and missed a penalty. Despite continuous pressure from the Otliensian pack with Mathew Payne, Marcus Drake and Chris Hayward prominent, poor defence from a speculative crossfield kick let Huddersfield in for seven points.

Matthew Dykes limped off with a leg injury and was replaced by in the centre by Shane Moore. Simon Coates was proving to be an astute fly-half but the lack of good ball from over complications at the line out limited the attacking play.

Eventually the good work of the pack in the loose put Hudson over for a try to give the home side an 8-7 advantage at the break.

The second-half had the Otliensians in control for long periods and it was good to see Graham Bentley, who came on as replacement late in the first-half, show some of his old skills.

A precise kick from Coates to near the YMCA line was almost wasted but Payne following up well, eventually gathered and drove powerfully over the line to score.

Further well deserved tries followed for Chris Hayward and Marcus Drake, who had an impressive game at wing forward. One try was converted by Hudson.

Tony Collins left the field late in the game with an ankle injury and Ritson returned.

The visitors staged a late rally aided by Otliensians giving away a series of penalties but good defence and some strong scrummaging prevented further scores.

Yarnbury............31

O Brodleians....22

THE league restructuring has placed Yarnbury in the very tough Yorkshire One Division but the jump in standard has begun to bring the best out of the Horsforth side.

With intense local derby matches every week, Old Brods, coached by former rugby league star Simon Irving, travelled to Yarnbury fancying their chances of collecting an away victory. However, they encountered a very determined and resolute Yarnbury side, which has been slowly improving over the last few weeks.

Yarnbury made no changes from the side victorious at North Ribblesdale and they began at a fast tempo immediately placing Brods under immense pressure.

Wave after wave of Yarnbury attack was repelled before a chip through allowed Andy Marshall the opportunity to sneak behind the defensive line to open the scoring. Brods seemed shell-shocked by the opening exchanges and this was exploited further. The ball was spun wide for winger John Bramham to race over. The try was converted by Kris Lilley.

Worryingly for Yarnbury winger Steve Mather was forced to leave the field with a serious neck injury after a collision in the in goal area. Billy Thompson entered the fray.

The Yarnbury scrummage again looked solid and the forward pack provided a good platform for the backs. The Yarnbury defence was forced to work overtime as Brods showed they had some talented players. An unconverted try was eventually conceded before Yarnbury hit back. Centre Steve Riley kicked ahead and John Bramham fly hacked the ball forward to touch down for a 17-5 half-time lead.

An injury to Chris Wray brought veteran forward Steve Miller off the bench. Brods applied pressure and a series of quick tapped penalties led to a Brods try in the corner. After a successful back row move Steve Galbraith attacked blind and dived on his own grubber kick to score. Lilley converted. Again Brods responded with a well-worked try making it 24-17.

Gaps began to appear as the players tired and it was Yarnbury who took full advantage. As a Brods attack broke down on halfway Riley charged up the middle to offload to Marshall who was hauled down inches short of the line.

As the tackler looked to kill the ball a penalty try was awarded as the supporting Miller was about to dive over. Lilley converted under the posts. Brods scored a late consolation try but the home side held out for a much deserved win.

l On Saturday Yarnbury travel to Ripon .

Keighley.................. 5

Hornets..................52

The Hornets continued their good form in the League. They comprehensively beat a large and useful looking Keighley side. The opening exchanges were even. It took good play from young scrum-half Mike Aspinall to unlock the home defence and release winger John Hinchcliffe who beat two defenders to cross.

This was the catalyst for the Hornets to cut loose. The tries came fast and furious with Steve Reed continuing his scoring exploits, as did Paul McNulty. The veteran centre bagged a hat-trick which was an impressive achievement for a man of his advancing years.

The try of the match came from Mike Aspinall, who took the ball on and beat five men to score under the posts. Duncan Ogilvie continued his scoring with both hand and booth with a total of 17 points.

l On Saturday the Hornets entertain West Park Bramhope in the League. The following Wednesday the Hornets play in the first round of the Morley Floodlit Trophy.

Yarnbury Thirds.......73

Keighley Thirds..........5

Yarnbury Thirds continued their run of heavy victories with a well deserved win over Yorkshire One rivals Keighley. The home side made a slow start with a number of changes enforced due to injury and county trials for Adam Pike and Bruce Johnson-Laird.

After spilling pass after pass in the first 20 minutes the home side got their act together and it was the start of a memorable day for John Griffin, who along with second row Andy Evans, managed to bag four tries apiece in what turned out to be a champagne feast of 15-man rugby.

Further tries came from Mick Pound, Steffan Patterson and Rob Taylor with Patterson managing to convert nine. Special mention must be made of Kevin Wray who came on for the last 15 minutes and was involved throughout in setting up Patterson's try.

l On Saturday Yarnbury Thirds entertain Ripon Seconds.

Yarnbury Fourths.......30

Skipton Thirds...........16

Yarnbury Fourths gained their first win of the season. Indiscipline gave Skipton a three point advantage and Harrison converted a similar infringement by Skipton a minute later.

The first try came when Adam Stephenson found Phil Davies who crossed in the corner. Blackburn and Fawcett in the centre caused Skipton some concern but it was good forward play from Yarnbury that resulted in Stephenson picking up from the base of a five-metre scrum and Harrison converted.

Further indiscipline allowed Skipton an easy penalty but minutes later Skipton were penalised, Harrison converting. The highlight came from Davies, a cheeky chip over Skipton's back line was followed up by Alex Blackburn, who scored in the corner.

Yarnbury were limited to a single score in the second-half Phil Davies storming through for Harrison to convert.

l On Saturday the Nomads travel to Ripon.