Match report Pontefract RUFC 1st 15 v Wath RUFC 1st 15. Game played Saturday 18.02.17. at Moor Lane kick off 2.15 pm. Pontefract made an impressive start against visitors Wath in their league encounter. A knock forward by the Wath ball receiver gifted an early initiative to the home side. Fly half Glen Boyd launching an early attack, wing Stewart Sanderson belted a high kick into the Wath 22 metres before being tackled out of play. Ponte kept up the impetus as Wath regrouped to carry the ball upfield, a spill in attack from the tackle by Tadiwa Nyanjowa and Kyle Morley in the home 22 was picked up by full back Liam Kay and then hoofed down field into space, wing Sanderson got his hands on the ball and passed inside to Matthew Bacon who then made a terrific half break and fed the ball on to Liam Kay who evaded the remaining defenders to score the first try under the posts. Liam Kay kicking the goal for the extras. 7-0. Pontefract kept up the attacking play, lock Niall Sandwith carrying the ball up to 10 metres from the try line before being hauled down, only haste frustratingly spilling the ball forward at the breakdown. Back row forward Will Storey pulled off a great turnover ball to launch the home sides go forward opportunity, scrum half Callum Watkins pushed the ball out, grafter lock Jack Beddis took the pass and kept up the momentum, flicking out a one handed pass to wing Rich Dedicoat who evaded the defence to score the try in the corner no goal. Wath gave a series of penalties which coughed up more ball time for Ponte but the effort went wayward and resulted in Waths Jack Whitlam kicking a penalty goal to close the half. Half time score 12-3. A good start to the second half of play came from an early Jack Beddis break and off load to supporting flanker John Fradgley who raced in 30metres for an excellent try and Liam Kay goaled. 19-3. Gutsy Wath held on and temporarily suppressed the home side. Ponte once again regained the initiative and worked their way into the visitors 22, Stewart Sanderson getting on the end of a Glen Boyd, Matthew Bacon, Chris Sant surge to score a determined try, Liam Kay goaled 26-3. Pontefract kept up the pressure and camped in the visitors half for a long spell but critically were penalised at the breakdown and gave a let off for Wath. The home side made the changes Ethan Potts coming on at prop and Craig Fawcett at fly half. Pontefract's effective team tackling stints throughout the game continued to present more ball and supporting play created an attack on the stand side, Nathan Potts came into the line and looked set to bustle to the try line, instead he put through a surprise grubber kick which evaded the defenders hands and the ever alert Stewart Sanderson touched down for the try, no goal. 31-3. Wath had the last word in the final phase of the game. The visitors scrum half putting in in a neat back inside pass for number 6 Joe Earp to run onto and score under the posts, Jack Whitlam kicked the goal. Final score Pontefract 31 Wath 10. A good team win for Pontefract, the game had to be won and the early attacks put the visitors under sustained pressure which created the opportunities. A couple of unproductive spells were cancelled out by some excellent team tries. Wath kept at it and preferred the tight forward play and scored a late try.
Pontefract are at home this coming Saturday 25.02.17. against Wetherby in the quarter final of the Yorkshire Shield. Kick Off 2.15pm. All welcome.