Yorkshire Division Three: Aireborough 13 Baildon 23

AFTER their forgettable season the last time they were there in 2013-14, some are questioning whether Baildon even want to gain promotion back to Yorkshire Division Two.

Having finished runners-up to Old Rishworthians in Yorkshire Division Three in 2012-13, Baildon lost 24 of their 26 matches in the eighth tier the following season, winning only one and drawing one, and came straight back down.

However, there were reasons for that poor record – coach Dave Duxbury, who had spent three successful seasons at Jenny Lane, went to West Park Leeds the previous summer, and some players went with him, while others retired, leaving a large hole in terms of experience.

Nevertheless, current Baildon skipper JJ O'Connell would certainly like the club to have another crack at Yorkshire Two.

The Baildon full back said: "Not only do we want to go back up, but we have it in us to win the division."

The Jenny Laners went into their favourite derby in second place in the table, six points behind Knottingley but seven in front of Leeds Medics & Dentists, who could not play their home match against Old Otliensians due to university cup commitments – something that was known by 'Ensians about a fortnight ago.

It proved a happy return to Nunroyd Park for Baildon hooker Dale Tabiner, who had last been there to cheer on the home side in their dramatic 30-27 victory over Bramley Phoenix in April that not only sent The Warrels club down but enabled Baildon to survive.

"I put enough money behind the bar for them (Aireborough) to have an enjoyable time in the evening," confessed Tabiner.

Neither try line was threatened much on Saturday in the first half, with O'Connell landing two penalties for the visitors, who were looking into a low sun, and full back Ollie Catherall one for the hosts after taking over kicking duties from fly half Ryan Sample, whose initial effort skewed to the right and lacked distance.

Aireborough had their moments without translating attacks into points, while Baildon blew their main opportunity just before half-time, kicking a penalty dead when it could have put them in a prime attacking position.

It was a different story in the second half, however, as Baildon took charge of the match with two tries in five minutes early in the stanza.

Having already blown one attack, the visitors capitalised when O'Connell ran at pace, dummying the home defence before giving left winger Luke Strauss a long pass, which he did well to catch before diving over.

That was in the 44th minute, and Aireborough lost winger Kris Brook, who bravely charged down O'Connell's attempted conversion but injured an ankle when he landed and took no further part in the match.

In the 48th minute, O'Connell chipped ahead in midfield and regathered his kick before putting in fly half Robbie Hill for a try that seemed to happen in slow motion.

Replacement Nick Lister was involved in their third try on the right 11 minutes later, prop Joe Smith getting the touchdown, with O'Connell's fine conversion putting Baildon 23-3 in front.

They looked good for the four-try bonus point at that stage, but the rest of the match belonged to Aireborough, who showed why they, like Baildon, are now in the top half of the table rather than the bottom half that they occupied last season.

Forwards and backs got involved in the drive that put scrum half Stuart Wilson over in the 67th minute, while a good passing movement enabled left winger Tom Copsey to cross in the 79th minute, a minute after referee Graham Rackstraw – the former Wibsey lock who tried to keep the match flowing – had sin-binned Baildon replacement Matty Dixon after a final warning for persistent team offences.

O'Connell, who thought he had his best game of the season, added: "We would have settled for four league points beforehand but it was difficult in the first half with the low sun in our eyes."

Aireborough skipper Rich Lister (one of four Listers in the match-day squads, two on each side) said: "We ran out of time as we had the better of the last 20 minutes but Baildon wanted it more than us before that."