Rugby Union: Baildon have lift-off in return to form

In the previous three fixtures against Leeds Modernians, the Jenny Laners had lost by a single point.

The home team therefore knew that they had to concentrate for the full 80 minutes.

Baildon moved the ball quickly despite the poor conditions. They have been suffering with white line fever and forced play, but now they managed to go through the phases.

Harrison Strauss made yards and got behind the opposition defensive line. Chris Peel crossed over from short range and Matt Withers converted.

A penalty was awarded as the visitors strayed offside. Baildon took a quick tap and Luke Strauss waltzed over. Withers converted again to make it 14-0.

Baildon began to play with confidence. Strauss picked up from the back of an advancing scrummage and found space on the blind side where he timed his pass to Tom Cluett perfectly who then crossed. Withers converted from a difficult angle to increase the lead to 21-0.

As the half closed, Baildon pressed for the bonus point try. When a kickable penalty was awarded, Withers kicked to extend Baildon's lead to 24-0 at half-time.

The half-time team talk discussed maintaining discipline and trusting the man in the middle. 'If we give away a penalty, we do not argue, we go again' was the mantra.

Baildon started the second half strongly but began to look less composed and found themselves on the wrong side of the second-half penalty count.

Modernians had bolstered their scrummage with substitutes in the front row and even got a shove on the home side.

Baildon indiscipline allowed Modernians the chance to press. A penalty was conceded in the red zone but the ball was kicked away to prevent a quick play and the referee had no choice but to punish the offender and send him to the sideline for a long 10 minutes.

Modernians took the scrum and made their man advantage count to make the scoreline 24-5.

But Baildon dogged it out through the wind and the rain to win the game.