Aireborough 29 Old Otliensians13

AIREBOROUGH hosted local rivals Old Otliensians in their first Yorkshire Division Three game of 2017 at Nunroyd Park, and avenged the 22-7 defeat they suffered earlier in the season.

The home side were quick out of the blocks and soon built up a 10-0 lead, with Aire full back Nick Holdsworth bagging himself a penalty, a try and a conversion in a devastating 15 minute spell.

The tide turned in the final 20 minutes of the first half with Old Otliensians dominating both territory and possession but they were unable to find a way through a resolute Aireborough defence.

Their only score was a penalty by Kristian Keinhorst although Luke Cowdell did have a try disallowed after a neat kick ahead.

Old Otliensians started the second half strongly and Aireborough were soon on the back foot defending again.

Half backs Stuart Wilson and Ollie Catherall were sin-binned within minutes of each other as Aireborough’s continued indiscipline broke the referee’s patience, but Otliensians were only able to convert another penalty as they failed to make their numerical advantage significantly count.

Keinhorst, who kicked the penalty, was held up over the line after dummying his way through the defence, while Alex Murphy, Sam Featherstone and Oli Cooper were all prominent for Otliensians.

Having weathered the storm, Aireborough were restored to their full complement and punished Old Otliensians for their profligacy with a try from Jonny Mackey, converted by Nick Holdsworth.

It was followed by a superb team try which was eventually scored by Catherall to increase Aireborough’s lead to 22-6.

In the dying minutes, with Aireborough pushing forward for another try to secure a bonus point, a strong run from Old Otliensians' full back Murphy saw him evaded a number of tired tacklers to score a converted try under the posts to provide some consolation to the travelling supporters who had made the short journey down the A65.

Aireborough continued to press for their fourth try and were rewarded for their endeavours when substitute Oscar Edwards crashed over the try line with the final play of the game to secure a bonus point and a 29-13 win which sees them climb to third in the division.