Moortown 23 Pontefract 17

Moortown 23 Pontefract 17

Pontefract travelled to much fancied opponents and gave a magnificent account of themselves. If last weeks game was a game Pontefract should have won, this game was surely one they could have won.

They got off to a tremendous start, as huge scrum pressure led to scrum half Josh Walker disrupting his opposite, forcing an early penalty. With good territory gained, great drives from colossus prop Josh Hough and hardworking hooker Ethan Potts, gave number eight Sam Millard the opportunity to drive over for an unconverted try.

From then on Moortown had a period where they had the upper hand. Playing some attractive running rugby, they forced Ponte to concede penalties and soon got over from a catch and drive from a line out. Moortown’s metronomic kicker, who proved the difference on the day, converted and it was seven five down.

From the restart Moortown took advantage of some poor tackling to go the length of the field for another converted try. This was followed by two needless, converted, long range penalties which stretched the lead to twenty points to five.

Ponte needed a response and were very unlucky not to score as a period of sustained pressure was repelled by desperate defence. A yellow card for Millard and the loss of captain Steve Reynolds with a broken nose didn’t help the situation but half time came with no further score.

If Ponte should have scored before the break, they got a bonus try soon after as Liam Kay, severely hampered with an injured foot, intercepted and limped his way half the length of the field for a converted try. At twenty to twelve behind, the comeback was on. Ponte started to dominate and experienced substitute, Jonny Hill, barged his way over after a bullocking run from all action second row Brodie Matthews. With the conversion missed, it was game on.

Ponte were hampered by a second yellow card for substitute Harry Mcallister for not retreating from a quick tap and Moortown duly stretched their lead with another converted penalty from an infringement at the breakdown.

With time running out Ponte nearly snatched victory. A kick through from winger Ciaran Tucker left centre Craig Fawcett ruing the egg-shaped ball as a half decent bounce would have put him under the posts. However, it was not to be as the whistle blew with only a bonus point to show for all the effort.

For the second week running, Ponte had scored more tries than the opposition and still lost. There were again two yellow cards to none and a heavy penalty count against. What can’t be doubted is the spirit and commitment in the team. If lessons are learned quickly the team could do very well in this league.

There were many plusses, young prop Joe Foster made an excellent debut whilst Matthews claimed the man of the match award.