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Sat 17 Jan 2015 ·  Yorkshire Division One
1st XVDoncaster Phoenix
Tries: A Fradgley (2)Conversions: L Kay (2)
14
16
Ponte edged out in game of great spirit
Jonathon Hill21 Aug 2019 - 15:42
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Ponte showed great spirit in the loss against Phonenix
Match report Pontefract RUFC 1st 15 v Doncaster Phoenix RUFC 1st 15, game played Saturday 17.01.15. at Moor Lane,
kick off 2.15pm. Pontefract 1st 15 unleashed their obvious match winning potential early in the game against top of the table Doncaster Phoenix 1st 15. Pontefract maintaining the lead at the half way point and up to the desperate closing stages of the game. Both sides competing until the final whistle. The visitors played to their strengths and made the most of the presented opportunities to finally snatch a marginal win and further secure their unbeaten record for this season. Atrocious weather and therefore playing conditions heralded the start of the game. Phoenix preference being to try and force an early error from the
home side but Pontefracts pack were up for it and steadfastly refused to allow the visitors to have time on the ball. Locks Ben Wade and Rich Scott putting
themselves about and front row Rich Maw, Andy Smith and Rob Scoley competing in the tight. The slippy ball was kicked back and forth, Jordan Gill and Andy Fradgley rushed the oppositions ball receivers who subsequently lost possession of the ball. Jordan Gill and Andy Fradgley both hacked the ball on
into space and the latter dived over the line for the try which Liam Kay goaled. 7-0. A stunned Phoenix immediately upped their game and tried a series of drives, Pontefract matched them in the tackle, John Burrows, Matt Williams and Andy Fradgley dragging down their opposite numbers to some effect and making use of the ball, Glen Boyd at scrum half moving play around to bring Mathew Bacon and Rob Jepson into the attack. Gritty play from both sides and a series of penalties nulled the overall efforts. Phoenix made a front row change and play resumed but once again Pontefract refused to allow the visitors to get a foothold and the opposition ball skidded loose, Jordan Gill and Andy Fradgley made the most of the opportunity, held onto possession and Andy Fradgley
touched down for his second try. Liam Kay goaled. 14-0. An initial line out error allowed a steal from Phoenix and although Pontefract presented a stalwart
defense but the visitors lock Ross Owen managed to get the ball down over the try line in the middle of a body pile up. no goal. Ponte put in a further terrific defensive spell prior to half time. half time score 14-5. Pontefract were playing down hill at the as the play re started with a blast of winter sleet.
Although the home side were rock solid at the scrum various disruptive tactics frustrated play. Ponte became over anxious and were penalised for off side.
Number 10 Ben Millar kicking the goal. 14-8. A further penalty for hands in the ruck narrowed the points difference, Ben Millar kicking the goal to move the score to 14-11. Pontefract were still in it but were suffering for continuity of possession, Phoenix being prepared to cough up the penalties and
stealing back possession at the line outs. Pontefract brought on Richard Heaton, Aitor Gonzalez. Lock Ben Wade was yellow carded for
going off his feet at the breakdown a key loss but undetered the home side battled on. Pontefract kicked to take play back into the visitors half but a good take facilitated a cross field attack, as the playing area narrowed crossing occurred enough to make a foil and lock Rich Scott was caught on his own in defense. Number 11 Josh Fowler going over for the try. no goal. 14-16. Ross Shand came on for Liam Kay. Pontefract still kept their foot on the pedal, full back Andy Dean putting in a good cross field kick, Jordan Gill grabbed at possession and broke down the outside, he looked to have beaten the cover but a diving ankle tap from the visitors full back in heavy conditions prevented a sure score opportunity. Another spill in the line out eased the pressure on the visitors who were great full as the game came to an end. Pontefract back in the visitors half and tackling play into touch. final score 14-16.
A very competitive game, a close result which could have gone either way. Phoenix got themselves back into the game from the two penalties at a time when they were not having their best passage of play. However eventually got the win. Pontefract had the opportunities to win and got a bonus point from the contest.
Man of the match for Pontefract was prop Rich Maw for his scrummage effort, all the pack played well and were a thorn in the side of their opposite numbers all afternoon, Ben Wade and Andy Fradgley in particular, Matt Williams put in the carries. Rob Jepson played his first game for the first team and showed his fearless attributes. Glen Boyd organised well at scrum half, Mathew Bacon had one of his best games and Jordan Gill had presence for Andy Fradgleys two tries. An overall good team effort. Pontefract 1sts have a clear week, however the seconds will be at home to Sheffield medics 2nds,
on Saturday January 24th 2015, kick off 2.15 pm. All welcome.
kick off 2.15pm. Pontefract 1st 15 unleashed their obvious match winning potential early in the game against top of the table Doncaster Phoenix 1st 15. Pontefract maintaining the lead at the half way point and up to the desperate closing stages of the game. Both sides competing until the final whistle. The visitors played to their strengths and made the most of the presented opportunities to finally snatch a marginal win and further secure their unbeaten record for this season. Atrocious weather and therefore playing conditions heralded the start of the game. Phoenix preference being to try and force an early error from the
home side but Pontefracts pack were up for it and steadfastly refused to allow the visitors to have time on the ball. Locks Ben Wade and Rich Scott putting
themselves about and front row Rich Maw, Andy Smith and Rob Scoley competing in the tight. The slippy ball was kicked back and forth, Jordan Gill and Andy Fradgley rushed the oppositions ball receivers who subsequently lost possession of the ball. Jordan Gill and Andy Fradgley both hacked the ball on
into space and the latter dived over the line for the try which Liam Kay goaled. 7-0. A stunned Phoenix immediately upped their game and tried a series of drives, Pontefract matched them in the tackle, John Burrows, Matt Williams and Andy Fradgley dragging down their opposite numbers to some effect and making use of the ball, Glen Boyd at scrum half moving play around to bring Mathew Bacon and Rob Jepson into the attack. Gritty play from both sides and a series of penalties nulled the overall efforts. Phoenix made a front row change and play resumed but once again Pontefract refused to allow the visitors to get a foothold and the opposition ball skidded loose, Jordan Gill and Andy Fradgley made the most of the opportunity, held onto possession and Andy Fradgley
touched down for his second try. Liam Kay goaled. 14-0. An initial line out error allowed a steal from Phoenix and although Pontefract presented a stalwart
defense but the visitors lock Ross Owen managed to get the ball down over the try line in the middle of a body pile up. no goal. Ponte put in a further terrific defensive spell prior to half time. half time score 14-5. Pontefract were playing down hill at the as the play re started with a blast of winter sleet.
Although the home side were rock solid at the scrum various disruptive tactics frustrated play. Ponte became over anxious and were penalised for off side.
Number 10 Ben Millar kicking the goal. 14-8. A further penalty for hands in the ruck narrowed the points difference, Ben Millar kicking the goal to move the score to 14-11. Pontefract were still in it but were suffering for continuity of possession, Phoenix being prepared to cough up the penalties and
stealing back possession at the line outs. Pontefract brought on Richard Heaton, Aitor Gonzalez. Lock Ben Wade was yellow carded for
going off his feet at the breakdown a key loss but undetered the home side battled on. Pontefract kicked to take play back into the visitors half but a good take facilitated a cross field attack, as the playing area narrowed crossing occurred enough to make a foil and lock Rich Scott was caught on his own in defense. Number 11 Josh Fowler going over for the try. no goal. 14-16. Ross Shand came on for Liam Kay. Pontefract still kept their foot on the pedal, full back Andy Dean putting in a good cross field kick, Jordan Gill grabbed at possession and broke down the outside, he looked to have beaten the cover but a diving ankle tap from the visitors full back in heavy conditions prevented a sure score opportunity. Another spill in the line out eased the pressure on the visitors who were great full as the game came to an end. Pontefract back in the visitors half and tackling play into touch. final score 14-16.
A very competitive game, a close result which could have gone either way. Phoenix got themselves back into the game from the two penalties at a time when they were not having their best passage of play. However eventually got the win. Pontefract had the opportunities to win and got a bonus point from the contest.
Man of the match for Pontefract was prop Rich Maw for his scrummage effort, all the pack played well and were a thorn in the side of their opposite numbers all afternoon, Ben Wade and Andy Fradgley in particular, Matt Williams put in the carries. Rob Jepson played his first game for the first team and showed his fearless attributes. Glen Boyd organised well at scrum half, Mathew Bacon had one of his best games and Jordan Gill had presence for Andy Fradgleys two tries. An overall good team effort. Pontefract 1sts have a clear week, however the seconds will be at home to Sheffield medics 2nds,
on Saturday January 24th 2015, kick off 2.15 pm. All welcome.
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