Scarborough 17 v Pontefract 13

Scarborough 17 v Pontefract 13

It was a stunning sunny day at the coast as two in form teams played at one of the best facilities in this league or any other. It was a very close game between two evenly matched teams with the Boro rear-guard action doing just enough to keep Ponte at bay.

Ponte started very well, going through phase after phase without errors, against a team happy not to commit numbers to the ruck and crowd the defensive line.

Scarbs opened the scoring with a penalty at the ruck, but Ponte soon replied. Despite losing lock Bailly Matthews to a yellow card for a high tackle, a brilliant half break and offload by centre Harry Mcallister put onrushing fly half Richard Hossack away. He drew the fullback and put player coach Craig Fawcett in at the corner for a well worked unconverted try.

Ponte’s defence was its usual brilliant self, but an uncharacteristic mix up in the defensive line, led to a Boro reply before half time. Substitute prop Josh Hough’s lack of pace was exposed as the Boro second row waltzed through unopposed for a seven pointer under the posts. Half time and it was ten points to five deficit.

Ponte started the half playing some enterprising rugby and were rewarded with a Harry Woolastan penalty at the breakdown.

From the restart, a poor clearance allowed Boro possession, and they scored a well worked try after going through the phases. Converted from out wide Boro were seventeen to eight ahead.

Despite the score, Ponte were well in this game and the scrum started to dominate. A controversial, disallowed pushover try by Sam Millard was soon followed by a try from winger Ciaran Tucker with good hands down the backs from a go forward scrum. Crucially, the conversion hit the post, but it was game on.

Ponte needed field position and a brilliant long ranging touch finder from Fawcett gave them just that. From the line out Hough was pulled down inches short. Letting the forwards batter the line was surely the way to go but alas the ball went out early and a poor cross kick from Fawcett went astray and the game was gone.

Man of the match for Ponte was rampaging number eight Millard. It was however, a good all round team performance which on many other days would have produced a win.