Aireborough 24 v Mosborough 18

Aire’s recent form has been injury & player availability affected; however this was an opportunity to narrow the gap on the top 4 teams.

Aire were boosted by the return of skipper Chris Chapman and also the availability of top scoring winger Felix Kraam.

Aire faced the marginal slope and wind in the 1st half, but they got off to a good start applying pressure in Mosborough’s half. Skipper Chapman was a menace at the breakdown and this led to infringements that were punished by the howitzer boot of Matty Jones.

Aire were now playing with accuracy and tempo that has been absent in recent games. Turn over ball led to a break on the right, with Harvey Sellers finding support which resulted in Spencer Wood scoring a peach of a try.

The game ebbed and flowed with the score remaining 5-5 until centre Sammy Woodley hit a sublime line to crash over for Aire to take a deserved 12-5 lead at the break.

Mosborough had some electric pace in the back line and some ill discipline resulted in well taken try for the away team to make it 12-10 to Aire

The dynamics of the game quickly changed and it was Mosborough who were now on the front foot and looking dangerous. Aire’s rear guard action stood firm, but their line was eventually breached and conceded a sucker punch score that gave Mosborough the lead by 2 points.

The game was in the balance, but Aire remained composed and applied pressure in their opponents red zone. The home team hammered away and their endeavour was rewarded with another score and the lead changed hands again.

The away team pressed Aire and a series of penalties saw Aire reduced to 14 when Luke Exley was binned. Things took a turn for the worse a few minutes later flanker Collum Hannogue was also binned for a breakdown infringement. A penalty kick put Mosborough in the lead by one point.

It was backs against the wall time, but the 13 Aire players on the pitch dug deep and stifled Mosborough’s attacking threat. The front row stood firm and Jack Porteous in tbe 2nd row was sensational.

With 4 minutes remaining Aire threw the kitchen sink at Mosborough, but their defence looked solid. That was until 2nd row Tommy Rollinson received a pass, but there appeared to be little options. Tommy hit the gas & maisy running led to an amazing solo effort from 25m out which sealed a much needed victory.