Inspired by a granite performance, the power of Jack Beddis and the shrewd captaincy of Brodie Matthews, Pontefract earned a valuable four points in a memorable 26-22 victory over prestigious rivals Morley on Saturday.

The match began well for Pontefract with an early try – Liam Kay broke through heavy traffic following a series of forward drives to deliver a perfectly timed pass to flourishing full-back Tom Papworth to score a try, converted by Liam.

However, Morley then got into their stride with the help of their enormous forward pack, frequently getting over the gain-line, and their Super League centre, King Vuniyayawa, punching holes in midfield. With Morely scoring three unanswered tries it made the halftime score 8-22 and some Pontefract supporters feared that worse was to come.

The second half required Pontefract to dig deep into their resources of courage and grit and get back into the ascendancy, which they did with skill, determination and spirit. Firstly, Liam Kay made over 50 metres with a wonderfully executed tactical 50:20 kick deep into Morley territory, the forwards won the lineout and drove onwards, Liam broke blind allowing wingman Lucas Ketteridge to score unopposed.

Then, when the crowd were urging Liam to kick a couple of penalties into the corner, captain Brodie Matthews steadied the ship and instead instructed him to take the points and kick for goal, which he did successfully, earning six points and putting Pontefract to within one score of the lead.

By this time, Pontefract were beginning to dominate the contact area. With ten minutes to go Pontefract’s stand-in scrum half, Linden Metcalfe, pounced on a loose ball in midfield, worked the ball right for Tom Papworth to join the attack and outpace the Morely centres before delivering a match-winning pass to our classy finisher, Josh Milthorpe, to score in the corner. Pandemonium!

The remaining few minutes of the game were tight, but Pontefract kept their discipline, worked through the phases and tackled with steal to see the game out. It was a victory that Pontefract will savour for some time, having lost the away fixture earlier in the season by a 30-point margin. The entire Pontefract pack were awesome and have members’ thanks for putting their bodies on the line for the shirt, and Liam Kay for controlling the game and allowing the outside backs to shine. Well done, lads.