Ponte seal late win

Pontefract v Castleford Yorkshire Div 2
Facing their third derby match in as many weeks Pontefract knew that old rivals Castleford would be up for the challenge when they met at Moor Lane last Saturday. A fine, still day held the promise of some excellent rugby .
Pontefract were quickly into their stride with the young half back pairing of Josh Walker and Liam Kaye initiating some fine cross field handling . A simple quick passing move from the base of a ruck saw Matthew Bacon out sprint the cover to cross out wide on the left wing after six minutes. The conversion was missed but Pontefract were back on the score board 2 minutes later. Andy Smith was deemed held up over the line and from the resulting scrum Andy Fradgley picked up and drove wide, crossing under the posts for Liam Kaye to add the extra points to make the score 12- 0. Pontefract kept on the pressure but spilled passes at the last moment let Castleford off the hook.
On the 15 minute mark a penalty for holding on in the tackle gave Castleford stand off , Ian Mattison , the chance to open his account making the score 12 - 3. He added another successful penalty 5 minutes later when Pontefract were adjudged offside. Score was now 12 – 6. On the 25 minute mark Liam Kaye added a penalty for Pontefract after Castleford were caught offside from another driving maul. The score was now 15- 6.
On 27 minutes a penalty for not releasing in the tackle saw Castleford kick to the corner to set up an attacking line out near the Pontefract line. Pontefract held the initial drive to the posts but when Castleford switched play back out, left hooker Mat Wrigglesworth found a gap to cross the whitewash. Mattison added the extras to make the score 15-13. Ten minutes later Mattison was again on the scoreboard when he slotted a snap drop goal from about 35 metres out to make the score 15-16 to Castleford. Pontefract kept up the attacking play and had Castleford stretched on a number of occasions but dropped passes or poor decision making meant they did not increase their score. It was Castleford who scored first in the second half. Catching Pontefract cold at the kick off they spread Pontefract across the field before switching play back to the left for Gareth Grant Mills to force his way over for a try. Mattison again adding the extra points meant the score was now 15 – 23 to Castleford. Pontefract quickly replied. A good down field kick from Kaye and pressure from Pontefract back rowers Joe Perkins and Jack Beddis saw them win turn over ball. A driving maul was adjudged held up giving Pontefract a 5 metre scrum . Andy Fradgley picked up and dummied to go to the open side before switching blind to cross unopposed wide out on the left, Richard Dedicoat narrowly failing to add the extra points. The score was now 20 -23. Minutes later a kick through and recovery by Liam Kaye saw him feed Joe Perkins for a 35 metre gallop to the line just beating the cover. The conversion was missed making the score 25 – 23 to Pontefract. Pontefract kept up their passing game but again dropped passes with wingers Dedicoat and Chester in space and the line open, and a series of penalties against them at rucks kept Castleford in the game. Luckily for Pontefract a couple of long range penalty kicks by Mattison failed to carry. On the hour mark Pontefract were awarded a penalty for offside and kicked deep into Castleford’s left corner. Niall Sandwith took cleanly and set up a driving maul which saw Matty Williams touch down. Again Pontefract missed the conversion. Score now 30 -23.
With ten minutes left on the clock Mattison saw space out wide on Pontefract’s right wing and kicked across field for Jordan Gill to collect and score in the corner. Mattison obliged with conversion to even the scores and make his tally for the day 15 points.
It was now Pontefract’s turn to never say die and some driving runs down the centre by Matty Williams, Niall Sandwith, both of whom had good games, and Phil Lane delivered quick ball for Josh Walker to keep the attack going.
A 40 metre drive saw Castleford caught offside at a ruck. Pontefract could not make the offered advantage tell so were awarded a penalty 40 metre out in the centre of the field with minutes left of injury time. Liam Kaye took the responsibility, his kick just carrying to add the winning points.
Final Score Pontefract 33 – Castleford 30. Pontefract now lie second in Yorkshire Division 2, 2 point behind leaders West Leeds. Next week Pontefract are away at Old Rishworthians.