Before the 1st XV's took to the field the supporters were treated to a very entertaining match between the U13's from Heath & Pontefract. Honour was shared as the both team scored six tries each. Well done to everyone involved in organising this game and thank you to Alistair Gordon and North Rugby for the photograph.

After last weeks disappointing result at home, there was a feeling amongst the Ponte faithful that a trip to much fancied Heath would be more of the same. With a raft of players unavailable, Ponte coach Craig Fawcett had to be creative with selection, with every one of his decisions vindicated, as the team produced a memorable result and performance which could go down as one of the best ever, away from home.

Ponte brought ex rugby league legend Tim Spears out of retirement to make his debut and become the latest of his family to become a first teamer following his dad and brother, both of whom had stellar careers for the club, and who were on the touchline for the occasion.

Heath is a tight pitch and Ponte played the conditions perfectly with a high intensity defensive effort that left the hosts frustrated and well beaten. The game started perfectly for Ponte as a brilliant 50/22 kick from Liam Kay gained territory, and an offside decision gave an easy three points for Kay. Straight from the kick off, Heath conceded two more penalties for high tackles, the second of which was converted by Kay to further stretch the lead.

An infringement at the breakdown allowed a Heath three pointer but a mistake from the kick off put Ponte back on the attack. Both teams have a proud reputation for scrummaging. Veteran second rowers Andy Lund and Andy Fenton put in a fantastic shift for Ponte, and the scrums were a very competitive facet of the game all day. Ponte had a trump card however as his opposite number could do nothing with the size and power of Josh Hough and conceded a string of penalties, allowing Kay to stretch the lead to nine points to three.

This deficit was soon reduced as Ponte were caught offside under the posts, followed by a further exchange of penalties adding three points for both teams. The penalties continued as the Heath loosehead conceded yet another which the metronomic Kay converted.

Ponte’s discipline was exemplary throughout, but not the home sides, and Kay slotted another penalty from the halfway line to leave the score at eighteen to six at half time.

Ponte started the second half pummelling the Heath line, but great defence kept them out with the only reward being a further Kay penalty for a high tackle. From thereon in it was time to defend. Lead by Tad Nyanjowa and Spears the Heath players looked sick of taking the ball in as they were brutally knocked back time and again. Heath did think they had scored but referee Sam Potts judged that Hough managed to get himself between the ball and the try line.

All that was missing from the performance was a try. It nearly came from a great break by Kay putting the outstanding Richard Dedicoat in space only to be denied by strong defence. At last Ponte were rewarded for their efforts when hard working prop Josh Stuart ripped the ball from his opponent into the hands of Lund who showed previously unseen second row skills with a long raking grubber kick. Ponte had just the right man chasing as young winger Josh Milthorpe outpaced the Heath cover to dribble the ball to the try line for a score, which put a gloss on the victory.

The final whistle went, and the Ponte faithful celebrated a famous victory. Man of the match for Ponte was Kay, but there were accolades for everyone. In the forwards, Pickersgill and Matthews bossed the line outs whilst Callum Rogers gave his all, including a stint in his unaccustomed position of prop. In the backs, Charlie Harris and Mikey Haywood were solid in defence as well as a handful in attack.

Next Saturday Ponte welcome last years main rivals Moortown to Moor Lane in the first round of the Yorkshire Cup (3pm). Ponte will be hoping the availability issues will resolve themselves. One thing for certain, on Saturdays evidence, whoever pulls on the blue and white jersey will give their all.