Aireborough 29

Marist 10

IN a re-arranged league game at Nunroyd Park, Aireborough continued their winning form in an open game which belied the heavy conditions.

Playing with a strong wind, they took time to settle but soon established forward superiority with Martin Hemsley dominating the lineouts and props Chris Dine and Jim Dolan making their presence felt in the loose.

After camping near the opposition line their inevitable score came from a pushover try awarded to number eight Steve Richings, converted by Paul Mackie. An injury to back Chris Illingworth brought player-coach Gary Poole into the action who immediately made an impact when, rolling back the years, he carved an opening in the opposition defence to dart over in the corner.

With Aireborough's backs combining well he then gave the scoring pass for winger James Williams to use his pace and elude two defenders to touch down under the posts. A conversion by Mackie gave Aireborough a comfortable half-time lead of 19-0.

After the interval Aireborough chose the correct strategy of keeping the ball tight which soon paid dividends when they scored their second pushover try to make the game safe. A final try by skipper Steve Brewer following clever midfield interplay between Paul Mackie nd Alistair Macrae gave Aireborough a 29-point lead.

Unfortunately, this seemed to be the signal for the team to relax when they allowed the opposition to score two late consolation tries which, in the event of a close finish to the season, could prove costly.

Pick of Aireborough's forwards was flanker John Rhodes for a totally committed performance and ex-Loughborough University scrum-half Nick Stamp who distributed possession well.

l This improvement in form will need to be sustained when Aireborough meet sterner opposition in league high flyers Rishworthians at Halifax on Saturday, kick-off 2.15pm.

Old Mods A 22

Crusaders 22

Crusaders contributed to a highly entertaining game against their local rivals at Cookridge. Tries from stand-off Phil Ineson, returning from injury, and debutant centre Paul Devine, both converted by Ineson, gave Crusaders a good lead before the opposition struck back.

This lead was extended when skipper Tony Exley scored his 12th try of the season to emphasise his position as the club's top try-scorer.

Crusaders scoring was completed by a penalty from Phil Ineson. The opposition finished strongly to snatch a victory from Crusader's grasp in the dying moments of the game.

l On Saturday Crusaders entertain Rishworthians 'A' at Nunroyd Park in pursuit of their seventh victory of the season, and hoping to avenge a single point defeat by this team earlier in the season.

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