A hard fought Sunday Curtain Raiser at the Keighley Cougar Ground saw the Bumbles meet the social side they helped to create. The Keighley Cougars Academy team had been forced at short notice to meet commitments with a partner in Rugby League, and Mo Parkers AAB's once again stepped into the breach prior to the Senior Cougars mauling of Barrow Raiders. Big thanks to the Cougars who were excellent and generous hosts.
Bumbles players with and without disabilities made up the AAB numbers to create a game of two Mixed Ability Sides. The main difference was experience, with Parkers team being very experienced in making dubious calls and attempting to influence the novice referee...the 'wind on their side'
Despite both sides bitterly complaining about each other, and disregarding the fact many players actually swapped shirts at half time this was a brutal and physical encounter with players of all ages picking up injuries including split noses, bruised ribs and one torn ear being glued back on at Airedale Hospital.
Relations between the two teams remain as friendly as the injury list suggests. Below is more hot air from the AAB Manager and Junior Bees Coach.

The Almosts Story.........

Here is a short evaluation of the "Almosts" players?

Paul Exley-Todays skipper (AIREBOROUGH,OLD GROVIANS,BORSTAL) as usual put himself about a bit-started at s/row,ended up on the wing.......rolled back the years and years.......!
Tony Exley-(AIREBOROUGH AND ETON) first appearance in the famous black shirt tried hard to emulate brother by starting in the centre and appearing in the s/row.....a ruse to confuse the opposition(and his team mates).
James Exley(AIREBOROUGH,WOODHOUSE GROVE) hampered by a previous night of hard boozing/ect...nowhere near the high standard of his last game outplayed by dad Paul.
Luke Exley (AIREBOROUGH,HARROW) another debutant-played at prop and had no problem with the lack of pace in the game.
Darren Lee(CONVERT FROM FOOTBALL) kicked the ball away when under pressure from the 22 stone figure of "Big Lee".some may say he bottled it,the sensible ones among us say good idea-although having said that Aireborough Hospital is not THAT far away!
Ian Smith(PLAYED RUGBY LEAGUE-NUFF SAID) selected in my usual position of fly half by Mr.Paul Exley,a position where I can avoid getting hit.Ian needs improvement on positioning,passing,tackling,passing,running,catching and kicking-other than that an OK performance......not that I am being bitchy!
Danny Carr(WIBSEY,HALIFAX,MORRISONS) a laid back performance.....any more laid back and we would have to wake him up!
Alfie Hutchinson(BEES,ALNWICK) pretty,smooth,elegant,fast and powerful....but enough about my Jaguar which took him to the match,played at hooker and flanker,sometimes at the same time.....much better than his dad!
Chinney(AIREBOROUGH,MORRISONS)scored two tries-but missed a simple conversion(again)His second try was deemed to be the "Try of the season" by a group of Cougar players on the touchline.....modesty forbids to tell who gave him the pass.
We were loaned, thankfully, some Bumbles players to cover for some of our absentees-The Kevster,Ryan,Jumping Jack,Daniel,(Scotty and Wadey) and Simon Myers(who is subject of a possible transfer deal.... no more details can be divulged to avoid gazumping).
Of course the game could not have taken place without a referee "Dad Myers" stepping in at the eleventh hour for his debut as an official.......I am informed by many of the players that Specsavers have a special BOGOFF deal on next week Dad!
A good day was had by all (except Jamie Moore who has had to have his ear glued back on at the hospital) and the Almosts look forward to the next fixture on the eleventh of May.
Thanks,
Mo.