Pontefract clear at the top

Match report Pontefract RUFC 1st 15 v Leodiensian RUFC 1st 15, game played Saturday 16.12.17. at Moor Lane, kick off 2.15 pm. Pontefract players and supporters earned and received an early Christmas present, from a win against an unforgiving and relentless visiting Leodiensians side. Pontefract scored 33 to Leodiensians 22. Playing on the reliable “top field” in winter weather, the home side made a breath taking start as Leo’s kicked deep to clear and centre Craig Fawcett collected the ball to pull play across field, beating defenders, off loading to winger Richard Dedicoat who got over the try line but could not ground the ball. Ponte went again from a Fawcett attack but the final kick through did not bounce up and the visitors finally got their hands on the ball. Early chances missed. A high tackle gifted the visitors their first real opportunity and from the set piece maintained possession to send in number 14 Jim Langtree for the try which was converted. 0-7. Pontefract upped the effort prop Phil Lane taking some pulling down but frustrating unforced errors along with solid tackling in the middle from Leo’s thwarted the home sides final thrust. Pontefract were awarded a penalty for obstruction and a further high tackle increased the pressure on the visitors. From the scrum the pack tied in the defenders and number 8 Jack Beddis bull dozed his way over the line for the try to settle the nerves, Liam Kay kicked the goal. 7-7. Pontefract got their chances to kick for goal and add the points but elected to kick to touch. However a poor clearance kick coughed up possession and the determined Leo’s found the space. Full back Liam Kay made the tackle but number one Harry Elliot’s momentum got him over for the try. No goal. Dropped balls from cold hands didn’t help either side but as Ponte had most of the possession at this stage of the game the home side supporters became restless. Leo’s were caught off side and Liam Kay kicked long into touch. Lock Niall Sandwith took the ball off the top. Matt Hargreaves moved on to fly half Glen Boyd who switched play to find Mathew Bacon who scythed through for the much needed try. Liam Kay kicked the goal. Half time score 14-12. Pontefract should have been in the clear but credit to the relentless Leo’ they took their chances which kept the score tight at the half way mark. Pontefract brought on Ross Shand for Liam Kay and spelled the forwards. At the re start the ball squirted out of Rich Scott’s hand but Rob Scoley, Jonny Hill and James Griffin battled for the ball. Clear breaks from Mathew Bacon and captain Craig Fawcett went unrewarded as the ball came loose. Another high tackle and subsequent yellow card for the visitors undid them, Ponte making the most of the extra man, Andy Lund punched a hole in the defence, off loaded, Glen Boyd pushed the ball on, hooker Jonny Hill saw the opening out wide evaded the last tackler to scoot in for the try, no goal. 19-12. Ponte launched an attack from a bullocking Rob Scoley drive, Jack Beddis supported and Matt Hargreaves moved the ball on for Craig Fawcett to make the most off the opportunity and score the try to stretch the lead. Richard Dedicoat kicked the goal. 26-12. A pile of bodies at a breakdown a play went against the home side and Leo’s now back to a full side and always looking capable with ball in hand moved the ball wide, a missed tackle and wing James Harries went in for a try. The goal kick hit the post and bounced away. 26-17. A close game. Ponte were still producing the half breaks, Ethan Potts ripped the ball away at the breakdown and Pontes three quarters raced away but a loose pass to a call from a defender lost the opportunity. The scrum dominance went both ways as the packs began to tire. Leo’s were penalised at the set piece and the home side mesmerised the defence, Mathew Bacon darting through for his second try and Richard Dedicoat kicked the goal.33-17. Pontefract in a final flurry looked to have got wing Richard Hossack into the clear but again the ball went to ground. Leo’s kept at it and when Pontefract were harshly adjudged to have not retired 10 metres , the visitors kicked to the corner. Took the line out ball and piled over in the corner for the try and to have the last word. Number 4 Tom Piggot claiming the try. No goal Final score 33-22. A hard earned team win for Pontefract on a cold day. Mathew Bacons two tries were key and Craig Fawcett was a thorn in the oppositions side all afternoon . Both sides made a contest of it and the game was played in a good spirit. Leo’s were always a threat with the ball in hand and put in the final tackle. Pontefract finish 2017 at the top of Yorkshire two league and the club members and supporters wish them every success in 2018. Pontefract RUFC will be hosting the usual Christmas Eve get together at the club house, 2.0pm-7.0pm. Food provided. The Boxing Day match will have the Pontefract 15 v Farmers 15. Kick off 1.0pm. All welcome.