Impressive win at away from home

Pontefract visited Old Crossleyans this weekend for a top of the table clash as 3rd hosted 2nd. After recent success Pontefract were keen to keep their run of form going aiming for their 6th win in a row.

Old Crocs kicked off the game playing with the wind for the first half. As expected Old Crocs were up on Ponte fast, and cutting off the extra pass. Strong running from the forward pack gained some early momentum with strong drives from Rich Scott and Phil Lane making that extra yard to create space available for the backs. On one of the first breaks from the backs, Captain Craig Fawcett was able to pass out wide to Richard Dedicoat who broke the line to pass back inside for Fawcett to get his first try of the game. This came after some strong running from old crocs and Ponte able to sustain this pressure and hit back on the counter immediately.

Kick off again was carried in hard by Richard Scott, followed up by another Strong carry from Jonny Hill who was busy as always in the pack. Old Crossleyans hit back with some strong running from their pack but the back row of Beddis, Sant and Lund made sure that no metres were made. Pontes next try came from Glen Boyd throwing a dummy to trick both centres and then pass the opposite way for Richard Hossack to run through the slightest of gaps and outpace the full back to score Pontes second. From the kick off again Ponte carried hard with Ethan Potts carrying his fair share of ball. As Ponte were now in the ascendancy the confidence began to improve in the awful conditions and the backs were able to break their way through the defence with Matthew Bacon ran straight through the middle of Old Crocs to off load to Hossack for his second try of the game.

Old Crocs then controlled the game for a 10 minute period however were not able to break down Pontes impressive defence, with Niall Sandwith making tackle after tackle , preventing their pack from moving forward. Old Crocs were trying to make headway with their strong running centre however back row Beddis and 10 Glen Boyd, were first up making the hit. Eventually a penalty was conceded and Ponte dropped their firsts points of the game.

Old Crocs then scored a try from a loose pass and ran in under the sticks to score their only try of the half.
Ponte then fought back again from strong forward play to enable Oli Jamieson to break free before being tackled short of the line, the ball was shipped to Andy Lund who was tackled a metre short before Fawcett was able to dance his way through the full back and wing to score his second of the game.
Right on the stroke of half time Hossack again was found free by a great pass from Boyd who released Hossack to score his first half hat trick, and his second hat trick in as many games. That drew an end to the first half. Great determination and defence from the pack and great defence and agility form the backs gave Pontefract an 31-10 lead at half time.

Second half was a much cagier affair with the weather worsening, the game was more aligned to keeping possession and taking the chances when they were made available. Old Crossleans made the lions share of possession in the second half, with Ponte having to show their strength in defence. Old Crossleyans could not break through the line again with Hill, Lane and Sandwith putting in a great defensive effort. Beddis and Sant were at every breakdown causing havoc to the Old Crocs 9. Substitutions, Sam Millard and Kyle Morley helped the busy pack in defensive duties in Pontes 10 metre. Defensive efforts in the backs were decisive in winning the game and there 12 was a constant threat every time he carried the ball, Fawcett, Bacon and Dedicoat were able to wrap him up and limit his abilities,

Old Crocs were awarded a try after some crash and drives by their forwards, this was deemed to be held up however the referee duly awards a try to the home team.

After winning a lineout Ponte again were able to get on the front foot, with the impressive forwards making yards for the backs to produce some exhilarating rugby, even in the terrible conditions. To cap off Pontes tries Glen Boyd saw space behind the full back after another tireless run from Bacon. Chipping the ball over the top, sub Dave Findley was able to show his footballing skills to kick the ball into the goal and drop on it to get his second try of the season after a few games out with injury.

The whole team managed to hold out and defend to the final whistle to win the game 17-38. In what was Pontefracts most impressive performance of the season this put a real marker for other teams as to what Ponte are capable of achieving this season. In terrible conditions Pontefract were bale to gain 5 points and move to the top of Yorkshire 2