Bees Colts Just Miss Out Against Aireborough

Games between these 2 sides have tended to be closely fought encounters and the game last Sunday was no different. Bolstered by Kyle Littlewood, Dominic Walker and Oscar Allen joining their ranks from the Colts Bees took good numbers over to Guiseley in their first run out of the season.

After Bees gave away easy turnover ball in their own half in the opening minutes Tom Kirkham latched on to a chip over the Bees defence to open the scoring for Aireborough when he was first to the ball in the corner. This seemed to give Bees the kick start they needed and after some slick handling from Harry Normington, Danny Murphy and Joe Pearson Centre Jake Brett found the gap and sped away to touch down. With both conversions missed it was 5 apiece with just over 5 minutes gone and both sets of spectators were wondering if it was going to be a free scoring affair.

Both sides lifted their defensive efforts however and chances were to be few and far between. With the defence being led by Joe Dearnley, Sam Backhouse, Bobby Darbyshire and Normington Aireborough could not find a way through. Bees similarly were playing their usual open game with winger Adam Gaunt getting good service but unable to find the way through to the try line despite his constant probing of the Aireborough line.

Max Hutchinson, Joe Dearnley and Sam Backhouse were working hard at the breakdown and Zain Ali, Joel Waddington and Kyle Littlewood making good yards to suck the home side in Ben Hemsley was keeping busy round the rucks to get the ball wide to Normington. After taking the ball to the line a floated pass to Bobby Darbyshire coming short on a perfectly timed run opened up the Aireborough defence and he ghosted through the gap to touchdown under the posts. With what appeared a simple conversion in front of the sticks to extend Bees lead Harry Normington could only look on as his kick was charged down by the quick thinking of Aireborough's Harry Beckwith. He singularly sprinted out to foil the conversion and stop Bees adding the 2 points which would turn out to be a game breaker for the home side.

Into the second half Bees again were not seeing out their phases and turning the ball over too cheaply when on the attack which was making it difficult for Ben Hemsley to get clean ball away to unleash the Bees back line. This gifted Aireborough some good field position in the Bees half but they were unable to break a resilient Bees defence down. Aireborough finally got the breakthrough however when a set play from a scrum saw Alex Waugh chip over again and speedster Musaab Butt beat Bees' Josh Tenniswood to touch down the ball that had held up nicely in the Bees' in goal area. Will Green adding the 2 pointer.

Bees were refusing to lie down and again as the ball was being passed freely Normington and Joe Pearson worked the ball wide to Zain Ali who came onto it like a train and scattered a couple of would be defenders to touch down and regain the lead for Bees 12 15. With Bees continuing to press Pearson was unlucky not to get the try to seal the win for Bees in the final 10 minutes. Good support play from him saw him right on the spot as the ball came loose in the tackle. As he attempted to regain the ball and touch it down for the try he couldn't quite control it and unfortunately knocked on.

Aireborough came back strongly in the final minutes and a tiring Bees defence eventually came undone as Aireborough worked the ball left and Alex Waugh was on hand to take the pass and go over for the match winner. Full credit to Bees though who were full value for their efforts and on that form will certainly win more than they lose this term. Harry Normington,Joe Dearnley, Joel Waddington, Joe Pearson and Jake Brett stood out for Bees

Next week Bees face Old Rishworthians at home ko 12 midday.