BackSat 18 Dec 2021 · Yorkshire One
Goole
Senior Mens 1st XV
15
17
Ponte edge Goole
Jonathon Hill21 Dec 2021 - 10:47
Goole 15 Ponte 17
GOOLE 15 PONTEFRACT 17
It was credit to the two clubs that this game was played with most games in the county succumbing to the fear of covid. Goole were rewarded with a bumper crowd and a losing bonus point, but more than that they restored their pride after a terrible performance at Ponte earlier in the season. From Pontes point of view, it was a hard-earned victory with the squad down to the bare bones.
In all recent games versus Goole the victories have been based on a completely dominant scrum, and this game was no different. To counter this Goole had a completely dominant line out, as the forced changes in personnel up front for Ponte had a negative effect.
The game started with constant Ponte pressure, but with Brodie Matthews receiving a needless yellow card, a lack of patience and organisation when near the line, allied to a determined defence from the opposition kept the score line blank. Ponte sensibly changed tactics and decided to convert a penalty when the tries failed to come. Goole had not been in the Ponte half for the first twenty minutes but a handling error from the restart gave them good position for their centre to step inside the cover for an unconverted try.
The first half finished with Ponte in control, and they retook the lead with a long-range Kay penalty, as Goole managed to somehow avoid a yellow card for a later than late tackle.
The second half started badly for Ponte, as Goole executed well a three on two overlap to put their winger in the corner for a converted try. Ponte reduced the arrears with the metronomic Kay converting a scrum penalty. This advantage was short lived as Goole replied with an opportunist drop goal after Ponte once again coughed up possession from the restart.
At 15-9 down Ponte needed to respond, and they did. Another monstrous scrum allowed the backs to create an overlap for full back Richard Hossack to dive in at the corner for a try from which Kay missed a difficult conversion. This left Ponte still a point behind with less than ten minutes to go.
Ponte drew a penalty nearly on the halfway line, and with most of the crowd advocating a kick to the corner, up stepped Kay to boot over what proved to be a match winning three points. Goole battled hard to respond but Ponte defended stoutly and did well not to concede a kickable penalty as Goole put the pressure on. Ponte’s cause was not helped with an unlucky yellow for replacement centre Harry Mcallister, who fell foul of the new head high tackle rule.
All in all, it was a tough game which Ponte were delighted to come away with a victory which consolidates their place in the top three. It was hard to pick out individuals in a scrappy performance full of endeavour and will to win. Best forward was probably Bailly Matthews but a mention must be given to the players, such as number eight Calum Rogers, who filled in at front row when already stretched resources were made worse with injuries. Captain Kay was outstanding with his all-round performance praised by the onlooking ex England centre Brian Barley.
It was credit to the two clubs that this game was played with most games in the county succumbing to the fear of covid. Goole were rewarded with a bumper crowd and a losing bonus point, but more than that they restored their pride after a terrible performance at Ponte earlier in the season. From Pontes point of view, it was a hard-earned victory with the squad down to the bare bones.
In all recent games versus Goole the victories have been based on a completely dominant scrum, and this game was no different. To counter this Goole had a completely dominant line out, as the forced changes in personnel up front for Ponte had a negative effect.
The game started with constant Ponte pressure, but with Brodie Matthews receiving a needless yellow card, a lack of patience and organisation when near the line, allied to a determined defence from the opposition kept the score line blank. Ponte sensibly changed tactics and decided to convert a penalty when the tries failed to come. Goole had not been in the Ponte half for the first twenty minutes but a handling error from the restart gave them good position for their centre to step inside the cover for an unconverted try.
The first half finished with Ponte in control, and they retook the lead with a long-range Kay penalty, as Goole managed to somehow avoid a yellow card for a later than late tackle.
The second half started badly for Ponte, as Goole executed well a three on two overlap to put their winger in the corner for a converted try. Ponte reduced the arrears with the metronomic Kay converting a scrum penalty. This advantage was short lived as Goole replied with an opportunist drop goal after Ponte once again coughed up possession from the restart.
At 15-9 down Ponte needed to respond, and they did. Another monstrous scrum allowed the backs to create an overlap for full back Richard Hossack to dive in at the corner for a try from which Kay missed a difficult conversion. This left Ponte still a point behind with less than ten minutes to go.
Ponte drew a penalty nearly on the halfway line, and with most of the crowd advocating a kick to the corner, up stepped Kay to boot over what proved to be a match winning three points. Goole battled hard to respond but Ponte defended stoutly and did well not to concede a kickable penalty as Goole put the pressure on. Ponte’s cause was not helped with an unlucky yellow for replacement centre Harry Mcallister, who fell foul of the new head high tackle rule.
All in all, it was a tough game which Ponte were delighted to come away with a victory which consolidates their place in the top three. It was hard to pick out individuals in a scrappy performance full of endeavour and will to win. Best forward was probably Bailly Matthews but a mention must be given to the players, such as number eight Calum Rogers, who filled in at front row when already stretched resources were made worse with injuries. Captain Kay was outstanding with his all-round performance praised by the onlooking ex England centre Brian Barley.
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