Aireborough in free-fall

AIREBOROUGH'S league season is now in free-fall as this continuation of their poor away form leaves them near the foot of the table. Giving away two early tries through slack play left them 12 points adrift and up against it for the rest of the game. Although gaining good possession they struggled to capitalise on this.

Brief highlights were the opening score from full-back Mike Nield who came into the line and raced to the corner followed by No 8 Tim Baxter who, at a scrum near the oppposition line, picked up to drive over.

A penalty from centre Paul Mackie added to the total and in the final minutes multiple phase play from Aireborough reuslted in winger James Williams slipping over in the corner.

Dragons............18 West Leeds B...........51

Dragons suffered a heavy defeat against a well-drilled opposition who ran the ball at every opportunity. This immediately stretched Dragons backs where winger Richard Illingworth continued his improved form making several important tackles. Dragons' strength was in the forwards where Tony Exley regularly forced his way forward and flanker Dick Sweetman supported well.

Seasoned hooker Nigel Craven belied his years showing his mobility and mauling ability. Stand-in scrum-half Steve Gaunt served his side well with his probing runs and covering but such was the opposition's strength out wide that they ran in four tries as Dragons responded with two penalties from stand-off Nick Stamp.

After the interval Dragons had their best period as although conceding a penalty they hit back with two tries form Tony Exley and a conversion from Stamp to be only seven points in arrears.

With their forwards ascendent Dragons were back in the game but their nave ploy of playing an expansive game cost them dear as the opposition accepted running opportunities with relish to run in four further tries.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.