Convincing win for Pontefract

Match report Pontefract RUFC 1st 15 v Sheffield Medics RUFC 1st 15, game played Saturday 26.11.16. at Moor Lane, kick off 2.15 pm. Pontefract produced some high intensity play in the opening encounters and the Medics were forced to counter with a string of infringements. The visitors could not hold onto the ball and from the resulting scrum and Pontes Glen Boyd moved the ball wide, centre Craig Fawcett made the half break and fed wing Stuart Sanderson who went in for the try, Callum Watts goaled. Eight minutes on the clock. From another Medics penalty, Glen Boyd kicked to the corner and Jack Beddis took the ball off the top and the pack drove to the line, scrum half Callum Watts moved the ball on but it frustratingly went loose with the line beckoning. Pontes enthusiasm got the better of them and a few unforced errors gave the visitors more ball time resulting in the home sides tackle count climbing. Centre Ross Shand steadied the ship with a try out wide from a classic Glen Boyd break, no goal. 12-0. Ponte forwards pushed on again, kept possession, Stuart Sanderson making a telling break but the last pass going to ground. Prior to the break Sheffield were penalised for killing the ball at the breakdown. Ponte requested a scrum, centre Craig Fawcett scooped up the loose ball, evaded the tackler and pushed the ball out but Number 8 Rob Stringer could only get his fingertips to the pass and the ball went loose again. Half time score. 12-0. Pontefract in the lead and having bags of possession but not being able to turn it into points the visitors staying in contention and not being afraid of giving the penalties. Pontefract scored an early try in the 2nd half, Ponte keeping hold off the ball and pushing the visitors back. Back rower Chris Sant taking a perfect back inside pass to score the try. No goal. 17-0. The home suffered a yellow card for a high tackle and Sheffield took advantage with an extra man and pummelled the home side line. Pontefract held out for the most, but the Medics finally sucked in the solid defence and spread the ball to number 12 who went in low between two home side defenders, bouncing over for the try. No goal, 17-5. Pontefract suffered a string of penalties which kept them pinned in their own 22 for a while, a Gritty effort from Jack Beddis and Jonny Fradgley got the turn over and Phil Lane drove up field. Callum Watts took play to the left and then to the right, Craig Fawcett pushed on but was brought down, Pontefract re cycled the ball and Stuart Sanderson Sanderson went in for his second try. No goal. 22-5. Play was halted when Rob Stringer suffered a knee injury. After the re start Ponte kept hold of the ball and took play down the tight,with Jonny Hill been stopped short from a well worked line out, prop Phil Lane then powered over for the try, no goal. 27-5. From the restart, Pontefract attacked down the right hand side of the field, hooker Jonny Hill hit the pass and forced his way through the defenders to score the final try, wing Richard Dedicoat kicked the goal. Final score 34-5. A good vital team win for Pontefract, scoring six try's and having a number of opportunities against a determined Medics side who put their bodies on the line and kept at it until the final whistle stopped play. Pontefract are away to Moortown on Saturday 03.12.16. Kick off 2.15pm.