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AIREBOROUGH 58 – OLD OTLIENSIANS 11
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‘Ensians travelled to Nunroyd Park knowing
that they had a hard task ahead against a side which logged up over a
century of points against struggling Garforth the previous week. On top of
this, once again, they had to cope with several last-minute changes.
The early exchanges gave a hint of what the hosts had to offer with their
pack comfortably controlling their own ball in scrums and lineouts.
However, it was ’Ensians who took the lead on 5 minutes with a
nicely-struck penalty from full back Kristian Keinhorst. The home side
responded with two well worked tries on 14 and 20 minutes and then drove
over for another on 29 minutes to take the score to 15 – 3 in their
favour.
The visiting front row of Ross Myers, Michael Groves and Tony Myers worked
hard to win their own ball, but half backs Aiden Carr and John Ratahi
often had to struggle with slow, untidy ball. In the lineouts, flanker Ben
Smith and lock Brett Tenniswood competed well for their own ball and lock
Alan Harker managed to snaffle ball when Aireborough drives were looking
dangerous. From a ruck, John Ratahi made a fine break in mid-field,
beating five would-be tacklers, but unfortunately, his offload to fellow
Kiwi Scott Davies went to ground.
The Aireborough backs always looked dangerous and ‘Ensians centres Dominic
Oddy and Lee O’Donnell had to work hard in defence. On 22 minutes the
hosts ran in another try, but
then ‘Ensians then took play into the opposition half with some good
driving by the back row of Ben Smith, Andy Bower and Scott Davies. When
Aireborough failed to release, Kristian Keinhorst kicked his second
long-range penalty on 38 minutes making the half-time score 22 – 6 to the
hosts.
The Aireborough backs lost no time in getting into their stride after the
break, producing a converted try on 43 minutes. As defending legs became
weary, they made good use of space by following up with three more tries
in a period of ten minutes. For the visitors, Matt Tenniswood came on for
the injured Ratahi and Dan Ball and Nick Keinhorst replaced Oddy and
plucky young winger Dominic Birkin.
Despite the score line, fly half Kristian Keinhorst kept moving the ball
wide, but any wayward passes or loose ball were readily snapped up by the
speedy home backs to add two more tries to their tally on 60 and 70
minutes, lifting their lead to 58-6.
‘Ensians had the last call when adventurous play by the their backs
eventually paid off with centre Nick Keinhorst making a fine break in
mid-field, he drew the cover and put winger Tim Rushfirth away in the
corner to leave the final score at 58 – 11 to the hosts.
This was a comprehensive victory by Aireborough based on a solid display
by their pack and some enterprising play from their speedy back division.
Although on the back foot for most of the game, ‘Ensians played with
spirit and endeavoured to play open rugby until the end.
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