The Jenny Lane regulars had much to cheer in a game that saw Hemsworth pull out of sight in the second half. In particular it was great to see club stalwarts Howard Chippendale and Martin Peel on the touch line.

The opening exchanges were positive for Baildon who held Hemsworth through five phases of fluent rugby. Despite direct running on some great lines, the Hemsworth attack could not penetrate. The first few Baildon set pieces looked solid. Zack Orrell stole opposition line out ball and the scrummage held firm.

Matty Robinson put in good touch finders and when Baildon put together their own string of phases involving bullocking runs from Adam Hewitt, dancing feet from Tom Cluett and great link work from Zack Orrell, it was Joe Robinson who found himself in space. Joe dummied his way over for the first score, giving the medical team some concerns about his dodgy ankles, though it turned out that he was winded from his celebratory swallow dive when the ball was trapped under him. Nice one Joe!

Conversion Ollie Williams. (7-0)

Hemsworth kicked deep and Baildon fluffed four chances to clear their lines including a mess up at their own scrummage, a charged down kick and a miss touch finder from a Baildon penalty kick. Such inaccuracies do not go unpunished and Hemsworth scored through their full back when they moved the ball wide. (7-7)

Baildon responded, playing in the right parts of the field through a good kicking game. Zack Orrell once more pilfered opposition line out ball and Harrison Strauss jinked over. (12-7)

Having scored Baildon once more switched off, kicking the ball directly into touch from the restart. Baildon were unable to relieve pressure despite winning penalties and when Hemsworth won a penalty, the home side appeared in a trance as the penalty was taken quickly and a Hemsworth player crossed the whitewash unopposed. (12-14)

From the restart further defensive lapses allowed a runner to cut over for the visitors' third try. (12-19)

Despite good work, simple lapses had left Baildon a score adrift as the half time whistle blew (12-19 HT)

A run from Ollie Waddington had the home supporters cheering at the start of the second half. It is good to see this promising young player back in a Baildon shirt.

Hemsworth conceded consecutive penalties, the first at the breakdown and the second for playing a line out player without the ball. Mathew Robinson saw space and sent the ball deep, young Matthew Wilson rounding the last player and just being beaten by the ball in the race to the in goal area.

Although Baildon continued to put together phases, they were unable to get anything from a good start to the second half.

When Hemsworth had possession, initially the Baildon defence looked strong with Nick Lister and Matty Robsinson putting their bodies on the line.

When Baildon thought the lineout had formed, a Hemsworth player took a quick line out and walked over the try line untouched by the home side once more looking like they were playing musical statues rather than rugby. (12-26)

Perhaps in response to their earlier torpor, aggressive Baildon defence forced Hemsworth to spill the ball. Luke Strauss was on the loose ball like a rash and set off through a broken field. Zigging and zagging, he found his way to the try line via Birmingham and Edinburgh. The conversion attempt hit the cross bar. (17-26)

Two late scores put Hemsworth out of sight and perhaps flattered the visitors. (17-40)

Baildon’s only hope to get something from the game was to secure a bonus point for the fourth try, but despite good attacking moves the Hemsworth defence proved less generous than that of their hosts. Baildon ended in the ascendancy, with a penalty count increasingly in their favour but the visitors successfully slowing the game down to the final whistle.

(17-40 FT)

Thanks to the match official: excellent player communication and regard for player welfare.

Congratulations to Hemsworth a fair, strong, hard running team playing good rugby, you deserved the win.

Verdict: a better start for Baildon than last season but much to work on.