Old Brodleians 22 V Pontefract 18

Pontefract were in the lead at the half way stage of the Old Brods league encounter, there were key moments in the game for both sides, but a one sided second half penalty count tipped the balance in favour of the home side. Pontefract will reflect on a game which could have been won.
Pontefract selected John Wylie on the wing, Chris Maz, Mike Burnett and Simon Fletcher on the bench.
Pontefract made an excellent start and pinned the Brods back in their half, the opposition always looked dangerous with ball in hand but the early attacks were repelled with rugged tackling from all of the Pontefract pack. The pressure caused the home side to hang on to the ball and with seven minutes on the clock were penalised for not releasing at the tackle, centre Andy Dean kicked the goal.
Pontefract 3 Old Brods 0.
Pontefract’s front three of Mike Padgett, Andy Smith and Dave Laverick were making in roads in the tight but a loose ball caused a scramble and Pontefract were penalised for off side, however the goal kick went wide.
With fifteen minutes of play expired centre Andy Dean put in a long down field kick with the perfect bounce for wing Shane Simpson who raced towards the line for the try, he changed direction to score under the posts, the cross field tacklers piled in and prevented the score and release of the ball, Pontefract were penalised and the home had a let off.
The tables were turned when a good cross field move was finally spilled by the Brods in a closely contested game.
Pontefract had rarely put a foot wrong at this stage of the game but hooker Andy Smith was penalised at the break down and the home sides Oliver Ackroyd kicked the penalty goal.
Brods 3 Pontefract 3
Pontefract continued to have the initiative and the play around the fringes prevented the home side creating a platform.
Pontefract suffered the loss of the inspirational number 8 Jonny Lowery from a high tackle. Mike Burnett coming on as the replacement and was straight into the thick of play as Mike Bateman found touch from the penalty kick.
Pontefract’s Sam Brady collected the ball at the line out and the visitors drove into the home side twenty two.
The home side went down to fourteen men when no. 7 was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle. Pontefracts locks Smith and Brady combined with Scott to drive the ball up field.
Scrum half Matt Hargreaves moved the ball wide to benefit from the extra man, in the attack the home side tried to kill the ball and came offside but number 6 Matt Williams went in low and scored the try, Andy Dean goaled.
Brods 3 Pontefract 10
Pontefract were penalised at the line out and the home side relished the possession but good defence around the fringes from Dave Laverick, Mike Burnett and Carl Smith held out the opposition, the ball going loose in the tackle and Pontefract kicking to touch.
Half time score Old Brods 3 Pontefract 10
A game of two halves, Pontefract appeared to lose out in the 50/50 breakdowns of play and Andy Dean was caught off side. From the penalty kick the home side spun the ball and broke the first up tackle, the support came on however Rich Scott appeared to tackle the ball carrier short of the try line; however the try was given to Brodleians J. Marshall, no goal.
Brods 8 Pontefract 10
Matt Hargreaves was yellow carded for killing the ball.
Brods11 Pontefract 10
Andy Dean put Pontefract back in front when the home side were penalised for crossing.
Brods 11 Pontefract 13
Michael Padgett was replaced by Matt Williams at prop and Simon Fletcher went to scrum half. The Brods benefited from more ball time and a clearance from the visitors was well fielded and moved across field Pontefract were caught short of numbers and out of position. Fyn going in for the try in the corner. No goal
Brods 16 Pontefract 13.
Pontefract became frustrated from lack of possession and were penalised for a high tackle. Ollie Ackroyd kicking the goal to consolidate the home sides lead.
Brods 19 Pontefract 13
Pontefract received a further yellow card for hands in the ruck, Brods benefiting from a further three points.
Brods 22 Pontefract 13
Pontefract rallied and replied in the final phase of the game with retained possession, Simon Fletcher moving quick ball onto Tommy Archer, Andy Dean, and Nick Dykes handling, full back Mike Bateman came into the line to score the try. No goal.
Final Score Brods 22 Pontefract 18
Pontefract came away with a league point.
Pontefract played a solid first half but the penalty count had its effect, Shane Simpson and Mike Padgett having their best game so far this season. Matt Williams playing number 1, 6 and 8 during the game and scoring the first try. Michael Bateman running the ball back all afternoon.
Pontefract are at home to Old Crocs this coming weekend, Saturday 09.10.10 kick off 15.00 hrs.