Aireborough 14 Wensleydale 12

A CONVERTED try in the dying minutes of Saturday’s weather affected Yorkshire Division Three match against Wensleydale gave Aireborough the perfect riposte to last week’s narrow defeat to table-topping Knottingley.

It was a victory the hosts did not deserve having trailed a spirited Wensleydale side, struggling at the wrong end of the table, for the majority of the match as Aireborough failed to acclimatise to the poor weather conditions and the visitors tactics and playing style.

Wensleydale finished the first half 12-0 up through two tries – one of which was converted. In truth it could, and should, have been more as Aireborough failed to get going as the two sets of forwards slugged it out in the mud of Nunroyd Park.

The second half started in much the same fashion – both sides cancelling each other out in midfield with ferocious tackling and high pressing defence which nullified the gas men out on the wings. The second half introduction of veteran nick Holdsworth for Aireborough at fly-half brought some experience and calm-headedness to the team which, ultimately, paid dividends in the end.

Holdsworth’s excellent touch-finding penalty with ten minutes to go gave Aireborough a five-metre line-out which was caught and driven over the line for a try from hooker Nick Jackson, with Holdsworth converting to reduce the deficit to 12-7.

With their tails up,the home side pushed on in search of another try and winger Kris Brook was the beneficiary of a strong Aireborough scrum in the dying minutes as the backs executed a well-worked move to finish in the corner to level the scores at 12-12. Holdsworth’s excellent conversion from the touchline gave Aireborough a 14-12 win which saw them move up to fourth in the table.

Aireborough host neighbours Baildon n Saturday at Nunroyd Park (2.15pm) in what will surely be a feisty local derby as two of the top four sides in the division meet.