West Leeds 13 Pontefract 21

West Leeds 13 Pontefract 21

Pontefract ground out a fine victory against a form team who were chasing promotion. Forced into making several changes, including evergreen veteran prop Richard Maw as front row replacement, the hosts made Ponte work hard for their victory. With the line out working as well as it has all season, Ponte tried to play their expansive game but were repelled by the excellent well drilled defence of the hosts. Ponte did come close to opening the scoring with prop Josh Hough pulled down inches short and winger Lucas Ketteridge adjudged to have a foot in touch as he dived in at the corner. It was credit to West Leeds that they held out and then opened the scoring with probably the best worked try Ponte have conceded this season.

There was no panic in the Ponte ranks and with the scrum getting increasingly dominant their good rugby was rewarded as the opposition winger made a hash of a speculative kick through for man of the match Sam Millard to touch down for an unconverted try. It was just reward for Sam’s superb tackling and strong running throughout the game. The half ended with Ponte in total control. A strange decision, from the otherwise excellent referee, to make Ponte play the ball as the scrum headed at pace for a pushover try, was followed by a marginal forward pass decision to deny winger Ciaron Tucker a try. Half time and Ponte were down by a couple of points.

If the numerous Ponte faithful thought the second half would be a continuation of the dominance, no-one told the hosts as player rotation from both sides and an early yellow card for Richard Dedicoa,t for a high tackle, evened the game up. The game was reduced to an exchange of long-range penalties with ace marksman Liam Kay converting three to the oppositions two, for a slender fourteen to thirteen advantage.

A great take from the restart from all action second row Brodie Matthews set Ponte on the way to a match winning passage of play. Despite good defence, Ponte went through the phases patiently to get what they desired, a scrum near the host’s line. With substitute-Andy Fenton adding his considerable bulk to the second row it was over to the big lads who duly obliged as Jack Beddis added to his considerable tally of pushover tries this campaign. With the conversion added and time running out the game was in the bag. The hosts were denied a bonus point gaining try at the end, but the final whistle went for a solid victory.

There were big contributions all over the field with hooker Tim Pickersgill having a fine game against his former club and Beddis shining on his final performance of the season.

The last game of the season versus near neighbours Selby, at home on Saint George’s day should be a cracking affair. With the league title now out of reach there is a strong possibility of finishing second which would be a considerable achievement, and a justifiable end to a brilliant season.