This weekend sees the Aireborough Crusaders starting 2018 with a stern challenge as they face top of the Western Merit Table, Bradford & Bingley 2nd XV. As well as tough opposition they are likely to encounter adverse weather conditions with high winds and heavy rain through the week. This has also had the knock on effect of rendering Fortress Nunroyd closed to action, with standing water making the pitch unplayable. As such, this week’s fixture will be reversed and is to be played away at Wagon Lane, with an earlier kick off of 13:45 to allow the fixture to take place.
However, despite the absence of some Crusaders stalwarts like pack leader Jonny Hanson and fly half David Krushell, this will be one of the strongest Aire sides so far this season. The front row options contain size, power and nous, an engine room of second row combos will drive this pack forward, and finally the forwards are completed by a backrow bristling with dynamism. Behind this formidable looking pack is a backline with quality and depth, with hard tackling a speciality and pace out wide. With a large squad, full of quality, the Crusaders will look to meet the opposition head on.
13.45 Kick Off, 12:15 Meet at Aireborough, 12:45 if going direct.
Provisional lineup is shown below- subject to change based on injuries and arrival times
1 Simon Hill
2 Jony Hunter
3 Tim Baxter
4 Eddie Brewer
5 Si Wilson
6 Jason Clay
7 Alan Justham
8 Will Warrington
9 James Underwood
10 Matt Trevithick
11 Tom Murgatroyd
12 Rob Johnson
13 Nick Barber
14 Kris Brook
15 Tony Clitheroe
16 Tom Helliwell
17 Ian Wilkinson
18 Mark Bennett
19 James Young
20 Gareth Poole
21 Luke Buchan
22 Connor Cree
23 Ben Middleton