Pontefract clear at the top

Match report Pontefract RUFC 1st 15 v Wetherby RUFC 1st 15, game played Saturday 28.10.17 at Moor Lane. Kick off 3.0 pm.

Pontefract pulled off another important home win, from the Off missing out on an early score when centre Mathew Bacon lost control of the ball over the line. Wetherby recovered via their tank type scrum winning the ball from a home feed. Moving the ball across field to wing Jack Kaye who skirted on the outside to score in the corner, no goal. 0-5. Both sides trying seize the initiative alongside a string of unforced errors. Pontefract were penalised for off side and Wetherby worked their way into the home side half. The visitors gained a scrum within five metres of the Pontefract try line and were awarded a penalty try. 0-12. The home showing flashes of brilliance in attack but frustrated at the last pass. From the kick off the hanging kick caused a spill, from the scrum Matt Hargreaves got quick ball away, Mathew Bacon split the cover and full back Liam Kay came into the line to then off load to the supporting hooker Jonny Hill who scored Pontes first try. Glen Boyd kicked the goal. 7-12. Ponte go again as Wetherby were penalised for going off their feet, Glen Boyd kicking to touch and from a scything attack Mathew Bacon finger tipped the ball, Wetherby momentarily gained possession but after the tackle Richard Hossack picked up play, Wetherby' tackler hacked the ball downfield and created attacking play as the home side were caught out of position, scrum half Jonny Day going in for the try which was converted. 7-19. Wetherby tried to slow the pace of the game and Pontefract moved the ball around to create space, Craig Fawcett moved the ball on to the supporting Liam Kay, wing Stewart Sanderson going in for the try under the post, Glen Boyd converting. Stu Sanderson again going close but from his kick behind the defence Wetherby managed to scramble and put the ball safe. Half time score 14-19. From the re start a positive Ponte tightened up the effort, fly half Glen Boyd making the half break, prop Phil Lane bullocking his way through for Matt Hargreaves to put the out ball wide for wing Richard Dedicoat to finish the effort and score the try. Glen Boyd converted. 21-19. Another try went begging for Ponte as Jack Beddis turned the ball over and the support got the ball out to Stewart Sanderson but the ball went loose into touch. Joe Perkins came on for Sam Millard. Wetherby were penalised for obstruction and Glen Boyd found touch, from the line out attack Boyd put in the long pass to Stewart Sanderson who weaved his way through the tacklers to score his second try under the posts. Glen Boyd kicked the goal.
28-19. Pontefract looked to have a grip on the game but Wetherby played to their strengths and lured the home side into their tank type scrumaging and pushed over for the try. Number 8 Danny Warden claiming the try. 28-24. Pontefract were awarded a penalty for off side as they went close. Glen Boyd kicking the goal. 31-24. Kyle Morley replaced Ethan Potts. Mathew Bacon again getting the half break, the ball bounced off his opposite number and the advantage was retained, lock Niall Sandwith picking up to score the try no goal. 36-24. Wetherby kept at it and finished their effort with a penalty try to narrow the score. 36-31. Ponte took play back into the visitors twenty two but the final whistle confirmed the score. On this occasion a rather ugly win for the home side against a somewhat one dimensional side who played to their strengths.