Barnsley have been closing the gap on league leaders Pontefract with a number of bonus point victories over the last month which added to the pre match anticipation. With the squad chomping at the bit after last weeks cancelled fixture coach Hugh Gumbs had strong squad to select from for this top of the table fixture.

After the recent Arctic weather it was a mild spring afternoon although wet underfoot at Shaw Lane, Barnsley kicked off the game and after a number of early exchanges fullback Liam Kay made an early break storming thirty meters up the pitch, the pass to support went to ground though allowing Barnsley to stop the Pontefract momentum.

Barnsley then went on the attack with strong tackles from Lund and Scott helping to secure possession back for Pontefract and after some accurate kicking from fly half Boyd Pontefract were on the attack in the Barnsley 22, after a solid scrum by the Pontefract front 8, full back Kay came into the attacking line but after a loose pass the ball dropped to the Barnsley winger to run in 80 meters unopposed to give Barnsley a 7-0 lead.

Pontefract gained a lineout on the half way line; another lost ball from Pontefract’s misfiring line was pounced on by Boyd to chip ahead forcing a knock on from the Barnsley fullback to put Pontefract back in attacking territory. Another solid scrum from the lighter Pontefract eight led to the blues going on the attack with a series of strong drives from Fenton and Millard, after retaining possession the ball was shipped wide to captain Fawcett who grubber kicked the ball forward for speedster Sanderson to score in the corner, Kay missed the difficult conversion so Pontefract were back within two points.

After a short space of time veteran Bacon was forced off injured allowing promising youngster Andy Coleman into the fray. Strong running from Barnsley was met with series of strong tackles from the Ponte men; with the Penalty count at 9-0 to Barnsley, Talisman Jack Beddis was sent to the sin bin on 30 minutes for a high tackle.

For the remainder of the half it was all Barnsley with sustained pressure in the Pontefract’s 22, workhorse Richard Scott and Fenton coming to the fore with a number of strong tackles. Barnsley’s heavier pack had a number of scrums on the five meter line but pontes seven men held firm with strong scrummaging from Griffin, Hill and Scholey, a strong tackle from Coleman help to temporally stem the tide before Barnsley shipped the ball out wide, winger Sanderson saw the opportunity to intercept but couldn’t quite grasp the ball. The upward momentum was still adjudicated as foul play by the referee who sent the winger to the bin leaving Ponte to defend with 13 men for the last three minutes of the half, after a huge effort by the remaining players Pontefract managed to get to the break just two points down.

Pontefract Kicked off the 2nd half with a slight breeze at their backs, Barnsley were soon on the attack again but a low chop tackle by Scott led to a Barnsley knock on handing back possession to Pontefract. Replacement Potts and Perkins were brought into the game to add further impetus to the forward pack.

Pontefract were finally awarded their first penalty on 48 minutes but neat interplay by Fawcett and Sanderson ended in a dropped ball due to the wet conditions. A secure line out take out by Andy Lund a few minutes later put Ponte on the front foot, Jack Beddis broke the line to tip on to Big Sam Millard who off loaded out of the tackle to the supporting Coleman who carried on the move and sent Jonny Hill over for the try, converted by Kay to give Pontefract a 12-7 lead.

Pontefract were now in the ascendancy and good work from Coleman and Scott looked to have released Sanderson but the referee pulled Pontefract back for foul play by Barnsley, the Barnsley forward was sent off for punching and from the resultant penalty Kay extended the lead to 15-7.

The home side to their credit then took the momentum with a series of attacks on the Pontefract line, a cross kick threat to the corner was cleverly snubbed out by Boyd who injured himself in the process forcing Ponte to reshuffle their backline with the return of Matthew Bacon having recovered from a 1st half injury. Some good defence by Dedicoat and Perkins held back Barnsley but after sustained pressure and a number of lineout drives Barnsley managed to score from close range and with the conversion closed the gap to one point 15-14.

From the kick off Pontefract pressured the Barnsley line, strong runs from Millard, Hill and Coleman put pressure on the opposition defence. Pontefract gained a scrum five meters out from the Barnsley try line, with return of James Griffin to the front row the pack forced another penalty; with scrum half Hargreaves now directing play Pontefract elected to scrum again to wind down the clock, after a number of scrums with Pontefract unlucky not to score Barnsley broke out of the 22 and into Pontefract territory. With time running out though Pontefract managed to escape back down the field with good clearance kicks from Kay and Sanderson and Pontefract held on for an important victory.

A great overall team performance by Pontefract in which every man played their part, with strong spirit shown in both attack and defence. Pontefract are now 14 Points clear of Barnsley with Five games left to play as they look to secure promotion back to Yorkshire one after a three year hiatus, and secure Pontefract’s first silverware since 2007.

Pontefract’s next game is at Home against Wath 17th March 3pm KO.