Pontefracts faint hopes of promotion all but disappeared as they lost an entertaining match, in front of a large crowd at Selby. It looked as if Pontefract would be heading for victory as their first attack allowed try scoring machine Gaz Burns to touch down from close range after good work from the pack. Liam Kaye converted magnificently from the touch line.

Keeping the ball tight looked like the best way for Ponte to take the match but Selby are a very well coached outfit, retaining the ball very well and giving very few penalties away. Ponte could not build any pressure as four times in the first half they had line outs in the opponents twenty two, only to lose the line outs on their own throw.

The failure to extend their lead was punished as Selby, on one of their few attacks, scored a try and a penalty before half time to lead eight-seven.

Coach Fawcett ended the half in the sin bin, but his team talk worked well as Ponte came out of the blocks quickly in the second and mustered another try from the driving maul for Burns. Kaye again converting. This feat was repeated soon after as Burns went in for his hat trick to lead twenty one eight going into the last quarter. Selby replied with a well taken try, but it looked as though Ponte would seal the victory as with less than five minutes to go the team got fantastic field position and everyone was expecting a double bonus point try as the forwards drove to the line again and again. Inexplicably, the decision was made to pass the ball out wide and Selby forced a turnover twenty metres back, which lead to them going to the other end and scoring a converted try. The lead for Ponte was now a single point but Selby had their tails up. Some good play from the kick off led to indiscipline at the breakdown and Selby converted the resultant penalty deep into injury time.

It was a defeat snatched from the jaws of victory and a shock for players and supporters alike. Ponte must sort out their decision making to progress and improve on what has been thus far been a fantastic season which has without doubt bettered expectations.

Hard to pick out individuals on the day, Burns apart, but no shortage of effort throughout the team.