Man-of-the-match Howorth's try is decisive (From Wharfedale Observer)

Man-of-the-match Mark Howorth's try is decisive

12:20pm Thursday 27th September 2012 in Sport

Aireborough 22, Old Modernians 15

Aireborough needed to bounce back from their narrow SSE Yorkshire Division Three defeat at Rishworthians, and visitors, near-neighbours Modernians, were on a high after winning their first three games.

A close game was expected, and neither team disappointed their supporters.

Both teams started well but a Mods dropped ball in the fifth minute enabled Aire to get the ball to winger Tony Clitheroe, who went over in the corner, Nick Holdsworth converting from the touchline.

As the game settled down, both teams tried to play open rugby but defences held firm.

Aire had to reorganise following a dislocated shoulder to fly half Matty Osborn and Mods succeeded with a tenth-minute penalty.

However, Aire extended their lead with a Holdsworth penalty of their own five minutes later but it was not until just before half-time that a Holdsworth break led to full back Ollie Catherall joining the line and scoring under the posts.

Holdsworth’s conversion meant Aire were 17-3 ahead at the interval.

The home faithful should have felt confident at this stage but the previous week’s reversal was still fresh in their memory.

Mods were certainly not going to surrender their unbeaten record and scored an unconverted try within minutes of the restart.

Aire’s defence was under continual pressure and the backs did not move the ball as well.

The home side compounded their problems by falling foul of the referee, and a converted Mods try in the 62nd minute meant the lead was reduced to two points.

In the final minutes, Holdsworth kicked to touch, lock and man of the match Mark Howorth scoring.

Aire are at Hemsworth in the league on Saturday.