Burley V Aireborough
17th November 2007
Burley 13 - 10 Airborough (AET)
Burley's previous three matches had been decided by margins of 4, 3 and 2 points. Burley won just one of these games, the previous week's gutsy victory against fierce rivals Garforth, yet had outworked their opponents each week. Today, on a cold Autumn afternoon at Kirkstall Abbey, Burley inspired their supporters with a performance and a victory full of character that will last long in the memories of all those in Maroon and White lucky enough to be there, while Airborough, whose Coach Simon Carbutt had hoped for a moral boosting victory to bolster a faltering league campaign, were left with their EDF dreams in tatters and their supporters wondering where the 2007-08 season will now take them when it reaches it's conclusion next Spring.
Both sides went into this fixture looking to regain some form following disappointing starts to their league campaigns. Airborough had been thrashed the previous week by Castleford 51-0, the second time they had shipped 50 points during a miserable start to the season where their record stood at Won 3, Lost 7. Burley had faired no better with a record standing at Won 4, Drawn 1 and Lost 8, with two of those victories coming in the EDF Junior Vase. Burley welcomed back prop James Farad to the starting line up and following Eddie Sommerville's sholder injury, the ever changing back row today consisted of Palfrey-Smith at number eight, with Johnston and Christie on the flanks. Benjamin Mays was named in the first team squad for the first time, earning a slot on the bench.
Airborough fancied their chances going into a fixture against a side struggling for form in the tier below, and playing down the slope in the first half they started confidently, having the lion's share of possession. Fly Half Nick Holdsworth in particular looked busy, trying to work openings for his teammates, although two forward passes gave Burley back possession at crucial stages. Burley had little ball to play with in the first period, but what ball they had they used well, and against the run of play gained a 3-0 lead through Richie Parrish's left boot following an infringement at the breakdown by Airborough. The forwards continued to work hard throughout the first forty, with Polish international Milosz Grochowski, playing despite injury, looking threatening, and Christie performing his now trade mark Houdini-like steals at the Maul. However despite this Airborough's mauling game was more organised than anything else the Burley pack had faced all season, and it continued to give the visitors crucial territory, trundling up the centre of the pitch to give their number 10 a split field to attack. He exploited the opportunity with deadly exectution, running, dummying and stepping through the Burley line before putting Druce, his inside centre, in under the posts for a try which he converted himself.
Burley withstood a barrage of pressure during the final ten minutes of the first half, and will have been content to concede just a further three points going into the break - however just prior to the interval, they were relieved of their vice captain, when James Palfrey-Smith and the Airborough number 7 were both sent to the bin for a scuffle that started with a headbutt to Burley skipper and set-piece specialist Jamie Ferguson. Ferguson received attention but was soon back on his feet to play out the first half.
The home side would have been confident in turning around Airborough's slender 7 point advantage with the slope in their favour in the second half, and they grew in confidence, as the tactical kicking of Parrish and Zielinski gave them the territory they were starved of in the first period. With Christie and Johnston both pressurising their opposite numbers and opposing half backs, and Walton using his years of experience to do the same at the base of the scrum, Burley began to build a platform in the game, although the scrum remained under pressure throughout from a strong Airborough pack.
Burley were now well in the game and enjoying more and more possession, but Airborough's defence held solidly and impressively. However, Burley were soon forced into two second half changes that altered the course of the game. Milosz Grochowski, having been down injured several times during the match, finally yielded to his recent rib injury and was replaced by Stuart 'Bungle' Nichols. An astute tactical reorganization by Coach Paul Bissett saw Palfrey-Smith move to the second Row to partner the industrious Alex Short, with Christie moving to number eight and centre Henry Bisson moving to Flanker. Bradley Stovell moved from his starting birth on the wing to replace Bisson at inside centre and Nichols took his usual position on the left wing. Bisson's fierce tackling and competitive spirit perhaps make him one of the most natural number 6's in the club, and his leadership in this area went on to later make him the home side's man of the match. Shortly after, James Farad, out for the previous three weeks with a damaged disc withdrew, for another injured prop on the comeback trail, veteran Paul Pinder.
Burley had struggled to move the ball wide quickly during throughout, starving their most potent attacking weapon, the prolific Andrew Bissett, scorer of six tries so far this season, of good ball throughout the game. However, one chance was all he needed to turn the game around and to turn the screw on Airborough. Following some good clean hands and quick ball, Bissett at last found himself the recipient of an early pass. Sixty yards from the opposition line, with around five yards to work with, he tore through the Airborough defence like a hot knife through butter, cutting inside and out, leaving defenders in his wake, he looked certain to score a trade mark long range try. Approaching the opposition's last defender, around ten yards out and in front of the posts he could have hit the gas once more and tried to score in the corner, but uncharacteristically decided to draw the man and give a simple ball to teammate Paul Pinder, emerging from the bench for his first touch of the game. The startled Prop, looked for a way to get the ball back to Bissett, and in doing so outfoxed the Airborough man, stepping inside him and trundling over the line for a memorable score. Parrish made no mistake with the conversion, and Burley had earned extra time.
The home side knew that they had to score in order to avoid going out on the 'away team rule', and started confidently, with debutant Mays coming off the bench to replace Anderson calling and clearing the Airborough kick off like a first team regular. Despite going uphill, Burley were much the better side in the opening ten minute half, camping out in the Airborough half for most of that time and piling the pressure on the exhausted visitors. With a centre field position and slow ball, Parrish snatched at a drop goal attempt, but was charged down. Airborough had an opportunity to take the advantage but missed a penalty kick half way through the period.
Turning around down the hill for the second time, Burley continued to fight and outwork their opposition with a never say die attitude that has made them difficult to defeat in recent weeks. Another breakdown, and another Airborough infringement, and Parrish had an opportunity to take glory, around 30 yards out and 15 yards wide of centre. He took his chance, the ball sailing through the middle of the posts to give Burley a 13-10 lead. Airborough came back strongly, and had phase after phase of attack during the final five minutes, but Burley kept their organisation and discipline, finally shutting the game down when Richie Parrish charged down an attempted drop goal that had it gone over, would have given the visitors an undeserved victory.
During the week, there had been much talk of Airborough viewing the fixture as a 'confidence builder'. This illusion was dramatically shattered by a hardworking Burley side, who could have won by a wider margin. Club coach Paul Bissett was heard to comment: "there's your confidence builder for you - this is our house".
JL 19/11/07