Important victory for Baildon

The home side got off to the best possible start with a converted try straight from the kick-off but Baildon woke up and Ali Beaumont raced 50 yards, popping the ball inside for Carlos Hassan to score in the corner.

Baildon kept up the pressure down the Garforth slope and Andy Pollard forced his way over on 23 minutes in the corner but again Alistair Beaumont was unable to add the extras.

On 34 minutes, a well-worked move led to the Garforth No 10 going over for an unconverted try but Baildon were continuing to put pressure on the hosts through strong running by the forwards and quick ball through the backs.

Three minutes later, following concerted pressure, Baildon were awarded a penalty, which Beaumont duly converted to give Baildon a 13-10 half-time lead.

With the slope in their favour, Garforth probably thought they could overturn the deficit but were not prepared for Baildon's spirit and determination.

On 48 minutes, Beaumont struck another penalty and, with man of the match Adam Hewitt and Phil Wilson making strong breaks through the forwards and Jack Aaron and Hassan running the midfield, Baildon looked good for a win.

However, on 56 minutes Andy Pollard was surprisingly sin-binned for ‘hands in’, meaning Baildon were a man down and under pressure.

Garforth took advantage with two quick tries to take a 20-16 lead but Andy Pollard returned and, with Baildon galvanised and continuing to pressurise the Garforth defence, the home side were struggling to keep their composure.

This resulted in their prop (71 minutes) and their open-side flanker (76 minutes) being sin-binned for a dangerous tackle and repeated infringements respectively.

This allowed Baildon to score two late tries for a well deserved victory.

Baildon will need performances of this control and determination to beat their relegation rivals in the following weeks, starting with Halifax Vandals this weekend at Jenny Lane.