Pontefract 47 Huddersfield YMCA 12

Pontefract 47 Huddersfield YMCA 12

Pontefract are turning Moor Lane into a fortress as another visiting side succumbed to a high scoring defeat.

Within a half hour Ponte had secured the game and the bonus points, as they started in tremendous style. YM had a try disallowed for a marginal forward and from the resulting scrum number 8 Jack Beddis broke through some flimsy tackling on a long run before quick recycling gave Liam Kaye the opportunity to kick to the corner. A line out steal from ever improving lock Baily Matthews allowed the forwards a few drives before slick hands put prolific young winger Ciaran Tucker in at the corner. Into the breeze, Kay converted from the touchline, in what was to become probably his best place kicking display for the club.

The second try soon followed as another great scrum allowed Kay to chip over for the onrushing Tucker to scoop up and put mobile young back rower Leo Harrison in at the corner for another touchline converted try.

YM were shellshocked, but did manage to score a try for themselves following a catch and drive from a line out.

That joy was short lived as Ponte hit back with highly impressive centre Harry Mcallister scoring his first try following superb interchanges down the left with player coach Craig Fawcett. Kay converted and was soon playing his part in the try of the day. A chip over with the outside of his boot, bounced nicely into the hands of full back Richard

Hossack who looked to have made a grave error by not passing to his support on the inside. What followed was a sublime piece of skill as Hossack kicked cross field the opposite way he was running to completely bamboozle the opposition and give Fawcett a simple run in.

The backs were on fire but it all stemmed from a series of steamroller scrums which was made all the more impressive by the size of the opposition and the fact Ponte lost loose head prop James Griffin in the warm up and was without their regular hooker. Louis Johnston made his full debut and showed great propping technique for a relative novice, whilst stand in hooker Ethan Potts was awarded the coach’s man of the match with a hard working 80 minute performance. It would be remiss not to mention Josh Hough and Niall Sandwith with regard to the scrum domination.

From such a scrum, one of numerous against the head, the next try came. The pack was going forward so fast number 8 Beddis lost control of the ball as a pushover try looked nailed on. What he lacked in soccer skills however he made up with good hands and quick thinking as Mcallister strolled over under the posts from the pick up.

Ponte soon put the game to bed with a quick score in the second half. Good back play should have ended in a hat trick try for Mcallister, but he unselfishly tried to offload to a team mate with the line begging as YM were penalised for a deliberate knock on. Taking a scrum from the penalty was a no brainer and with all the YM pack concentrating on holding

the push, Beddis picked up and strolled over without a defender in sight.

From then on in the game became a disjointed affair with Ponte once again giving penalties away for dissent. From one such run of penalties YM scored their second try and there is no doubt Ponte need to be squeaky clean and adapt a yes sir no sir policy, to rid them of any reputation with referees.

Ponte soon finished the scoring as a lovely long miss pass from Kay allowed youngster Lucas Ketteridge to step inside for a converted try. Highlights of a dour second half was the powerful running and defence of returning back rower Tad Nyanjowa, closely followed by his partner in crime Brodie Matthews.

Special mention to scrum half Josh Walker, making his second debut after returning to the club. His distribution was excellent with his speed of pass giving fly half Kay the time to run the show.

Only one yellow card this week, with not a high tackle in sight. Hopefully the hard work of the coaching staff on discipline is filtering throug