Match report Pontefract RUFC 1st 15 v Barnsley RUFC 1st 15, game played Saturday 10.12.16. at Moor Lane, kick off 2.15pm. Pontefract creditably bounced back with a secure home win against a gritty and determined visiting Barnsley side. Both sides made an edgy start with early spills of the ball, end to end rugby and clearance kicks being made to ease the attacking pressures. A loose ball was adjudged to have gone back and the home side were nearly caught napping as Barnsley cut loose. The visitors were awarded a penalty for a high tackle and number 4 Aron Foye stepped up to kick for the first points of the game, 0-3. Four minutes on the clock. Pontefracts fly half Glen Boyd, for the most kept pushing the visitors back into there own half with some telling kicks. Centre Ross Shand hit the gap, brushed off the tackler but the low on pass had to be hacked on and Barnsley's full back pushed the early effort into touch. Hooker Jonny Hill got the half break but the ball came loose. Neither side gave way, Ponte were holding their own in the scrums and line outs with enterprising scrum half making the most of the secure ball. Again Ponte went close to the try line but a loose pass allowed a Barnsley interception and the ball carrier raced into the clear. However Captain Craig Fawcett turned, gave chase and dragged the speedy winger down to save a looked certain score. Barnsley's penalty count was giving the home side more ball time and an excellent penalty kick to the corner saw Jonny Fradgley take the ball off the top, Phil Lane and Rob Scoley drove on but the visitors pack got underneath and the ball was held up. Outstanding full back Richard Dedicoat had played safe, but was caught by a fingertip as he tried to run the the ball back. Ponte scrambled and secured the ball for Glen Boyd to kick deep and push back the visitors. Craig Fawcett forced the ball receiver to hold on with a resulting penalty in front of the posts but a now confident Ponte kicked to the corner, lock Rich Scott picked off the ball and Callum Watkins combined with Glen Boyd to go wide. Barnsley ran off side but Mathew Bacon was already on his way over the try line for the first home side points. The goal kick millimetres wide5-3. Pontefract put in spurt, now getting the upper hand with Niall Sandwith taking a short pass in front of the posts, Barnsley swamped the breakdown and were again penalised in front of the posts. A tap and go looked the wrong option as the ball went loose, but the Ponte pack won back possession, a superb cross field kick from Glen Boyd was fielded and Craig Fawcett crashed over the line for the try, Callum Watts kicking an excellent goal from wide out. Half time score 12-3. Pontefract finishing the half strongly. At the re start Ponte received but the ball was thrown down, a thrashing Barnsley picked up and attacked the home side line but rugged tackling forced a poor pass and the ball went to ground. Glen Boyd kicked to clear downfield and number 8 Rich Scott forced a turn over. Pontefracts prop James Griffin secured the ball, Craig Fawcett chipped through, however the visitors managed to clear the effort by kicking the ball into touch. Although the visitors were on the back foot in this period of play they again turned play by winning the ball against the head and then kicking deep to clear but a switched on home full back Rich Dedicoat returned the kick to again turn the opposition back into their 22. A penalty gave the home side the ball back, Glen Boyd kicked to the corner and the forwards secured the ball at the line out, Calum Watkins moved the ball wide and centre Craig Fawcett drove the ball to the tight side and then pushed a superb pass out of the back door to a supporting Stewart Sanderson who went in for the try, no goal 17-3. Pontefract had the game by the scruff of the knock but Barnsley held on, just managing to clear an effort, Fawcett, Dedicoat, Sant and Sanderson all involved. Ian Mattison came on for Ross Shand. Craig Fawcett stretched Pontefracts score with a further try. 22-3. The home suffered a few final phase penalties which renewed the visitors vigour and a missed tackle allowed Barnsleys number 4 Tasker to go in for the try. No goal. 22-8. The visitors played hard to the final whistle but the home side managed to re group and prevent a further score. Final score 22-8. Four tries to one a tough game. Some outstanding play which got the win for Pontefract alongside phases of the game when the Pontefract team were completely on top.