Ponte were dominant in just about every phase of the game but as the scoreline would suggest, the foundation of the victory was a superb defence with a line speed the visitors could not handle.

The game got off to a great start with possibly the try of the day. A gain line busting run from Beddis was followed by slick hands, for winger Josh Milthorpe to add to his impressive try tally this season. Liam Kay converted from the touchline, the first of a near faultless day with the boot.

Ponte doubled their lead soon after as a crunching tackle on halfway from captain Brodie Matthews allowed Beddis to pick up the loose ball and scamper away from several would be tacklers to go under the posts.

Ponte had a similar lead, to no avail, in the return fixture before Christmas, so there was no complacency, with the team continuing to smash into their opponents. After solid defence on their own line, Ponte went on the attack with a strong drive from big Bailey Matthews putting Salem on the back foot and allowing simple hands to put centre Will Cooke under the posts. Half time and a twenty one to nil lead.

Ponte increased their lead with a Kay penalty but were soon back on the attack in search of the bonus point try. It soon came as prop Ethan Potts nuked his way through the Salem defence.

By now the visitors were looking bedraggled and a slick blindside move from a dominant scrum allowed Milthorpe to glide over for his second try. The game was won, with Kay added a couple more penalties to put a gloss on the scoreline.

Man of the match for Ponte was Cooke but Sam Gilbert and Lindon Metcalfe also shone in the backs whilst up front it would be remiss to not mention members of the engine room including Sean Simpson, Stevie Anderson and Tyler Smith, who helped set the platform for the performance. A special mention too to Kay who’s out of hand kicking and game management was of a standard rarely seen at this level.

Pontefract now sit fourth in the league with the unfortunate five points deduction now in effect. There have been some interesting results recently and it is apparent that there are no easy games in this division. Next week both the 1st and 2nd XV's travel to Malton & Norton for a double header fixture. M&N are in 9th spot having lost narrowly to a resurgent Doncaster Phoenix on Saturday. They will be seeking to avenge their defeat (24:17) at Moor Lane earlier in the season. Kick off at 2:15. YO17 7EY.