Pontefract 1st 15 travelled to Morpeth for their third league game of the new season with optimism, the home side having similar early results as the visitors at the beginning of the campaign.
However a final rash of frustrating penalty decisions as the game entered the final phases sealed off Pontefract’s decisive second half thrust, the home side winning the game by a slender margin and holding on as the visitors possession was disrupted.
Morpeth had made some new signings and continue to benefit from the influential Matt Jinks at fly half. The home side benefiting from an early penalty when Pontefract were caught off side with four minutes on the clock. Both sides played challenging rugby with possession going back and forth brought about by the 50/50 decisions. Pontefracts Glen Boyd mad the half break the pack maintained possession, Simon Fletcher moved the ball on but the three quarter support was penalised for off side and Morpeths fly half hoofed the penalty kick into Pontefracts twenty two. Resolute defence from forwards Michael Padgett, Andy Smith and Chris Maksymczuk held out the opposition who always looked a threat with the ball in hand.
Pontefract were the first to score a try from a good take of the ball at the line out from lock Carl Smith. Simon Fletcher moved the ball on and full back Mike Bateman came into the attacking line, a stretched defence allowed the try to be scored at the side of the posts. Andy Dean kicked the goal.
Morpeth 3 Pontefract 7
Pontefract were penalised at the scrum and Morpeth made the most of the advantage, moving the ball to the left and right, no 11 Liam Allen going in for the try, no goal.
Morpeths purple patch continued and from a turn over found the space, no 15 Tom Wilkinson diving in the corner for the try, no goal.
Morpeth 13 Pontefract 7
A poor kick off facilitated the home sides next score, Wilkinson going in for his second try which was goaled.
Morpeth 20 Pontefract 7
The home side appeared to be pulling away and tried to put the visitors on the back foot, bullocking support play from the pack with Matt Williams and Dave Laverick prominent. Andy Dean received the ball from Nick Dykes; wing Simon Spears rounded the cover and went in for the try which Dean goaled.
Morpeth 20 Pontefract 14
Pontefract squandered a promising cross field attack when the ball went loose into touch. Morpeth scored from a line out.no.12 David Lynn scoring the try.
Half time score Morpeth 25 Pontefract 14
Pontefract were penalised for a deliberate knock forward, Morpeth maintained possession, centre Allen finding his way through for the try which was goaled.
Morphett 32 Pontefract 14
A gritty Pontefract held on, two yellow cards ( one for each side ) concentrated the effort and a period of retained possession enabled Nick Dykes with flanker Rich Scott in support to feed the ball to Mike Bateman who scored under the posts, Andy Dean goaled.
Morphett 32 Pontefract 21
Pontefract’s effort continued, within four minutes Bateman had scored again along with a Dean goal, prop Rich Taylor and Sam Brady being prominent in retaining possession.
Simon Spears went close to scoring but the ball came loose, Simon Fletcher hacked a loose ball behind the defence but the ball was grounded by the scrambling opposition over the line.
In the closing play it was difficult for Pontefract to get the ball retention. Morpeth kicking the ball off the field of play for the final whistle and winning the game
Final score Morpeth 32 Pontefract 28
Highlights being Bateman’s three try’s, the gritty response as Morpeth tried to exert the pressure. No.6 Chris Maksymczuk being a thorn in the oppositions side all afternoon and is a good prospect.
Pontefract are at home this coming Saturday 25.09.10. To Northern RUFC, kick off 15.00 hours. All welcome