It was a remarkable season at Moor Lane. Before thinking about the new season which commences on 2 September, there’s an opportunity to reflect on last season’s rugby.

From mid-table to top

The target set for our First XV at the beginning of last season was to consolidate comfortably in the new league. But, as we now all know, Ponte ended as champions, gaining promotion to Regional One, NE. We played 22 league games, winning 18, losing four, pipping Moortown by a single point.

Having lost three of our first seven games, the turning point when we realised that, with a monumental effort, we had the capability to top the league was an overwhelmingly dominant victory over rivals Moortown at home on 3 December 2022, which we won 38-11, six tries to one. The scene was set.

Final three games

Going into the final furlong of the season, our last three games were against teams that had previously beaten us and, neck-and-neck with Moortown, it was clear we needed three five-point victories.

First up, we made up for an awful performance away at Dronfield, by beating them at home on 4 March 2023, 29 points to 17.

Next, Malton away was a nail-biter. We went behind early on, but kept our composure and built up a comfortable lead. With five minutes to go, however, we needed another try to earn a crucial winning bonus point. Up stepped Rich Dedicoat who was blocked just short of the line but, never accepting he’s tackled, drove over to score. Made it, just!

Finally, on 18 March we faced Scarborough at home with the league title in sight. A record crowd at Moor Lane witnessed Sam Millard scoring four tries in the first half leading to chants of ‘And now you going to believe us…’

Few players to mention in dispatches

A few players deserve a specific mention. Firstly, our player/coach, Craig Fawcett retired as a player after out final game in the Papa John’s Cup against Walsall in April. Coming to us from RL (where he played for Featherstone, Keithley, Hunslet and Doncaster), Craig played for Ponte for almost a decade, appearing 191 times, scoring 93 tries (a strike rate of almost 50%), leading us as captain and over the last three seasons as head coach. Not only did Craig bring a more professional approach, he brought an intensity and self-belief. It’s a shame he couldn’t continue the journey, but time waits for no man… Thankfully, he’s continuing as our head coach to help drive us onwards.

Secondly, Steve Reynolds stands down as captain. Steve came to Ponte from Walsall RUFC in 2018 and his knowledge of the game, commitment and influence were recognised when, in 2020, he was appointed as captain of the Club. Unfortunately, the best plans don’t survive first contact and Covid-19, a ruptured cruciate and two lovely babies cut short his tenure. Anyway, Steve will continue to play for us after he comes home from France, watching his beloved Wales in the World Cup. Good luck, all the best and thanks, Steve.

Thirdly, Sam Millard received a well-deserved Player of the Year Award, not only for scoring 20 tries in the campaign, but for his all-round dynamism. He follows other former Featherstone Lions lads in our record book. Just think how good he can become when he learns the Laws?

Finally, Jonny Hill has hung up his boots. Jonny has had a wonderful playing career at Ponte for the past 10 years, albeit cut somewhat short by a nasty infection. His deceptive speed took the opposition (and some spectators) by surprise and he’s been a prolific try-scorer; last season he recorded the impressive figures of played two, scored two.

(Extracted from Report by Chair of Rugby to the AGM of members on 6 July 2023)

So, overall, 2022/23 was a terrific season for Ponte. Hope, like me, you can’t wait for the new one to start?