Ponte beat Knottingley convincingly

Match report Pontefract RUFC 2nds v Knottingley RUFC 2nds, game played Saturday 13.09.14 at Knottingley, KO 3.0pm.

Pontefract 2nds traveled the short distance to Knottingley for a non league encounter. Pontefract fielding more than a full squad. The visitors playing Tristan Hibbert at scrum half, Phil Lane at prop, Richard Armstrong at hooker and Billy Coleman at centre. New recruit Ator Gonzalez at number 8. Pontefract again made their characteristic good start straight into the home sides half. Knottingleys defense held out alongside the visitors rushed play. The home side made good use of the ball but likewise Pontefracts defense was committed and dented the attack. There was not contest at the scrums and the line outs were

initially a little chaotic, the ball bouncing around both sides receivers. Locks Stu Haynes and Joe Morgan tightened up the set piece in addition to putting in some bullocking runs which tore open the oppositions cover. Tad at number 7 for the visitors completed a turn over of play and skirted around the defense,

at the tackle prop Phil Lane picked up drove on and scrum half Tristan Hibbert put the ball out to centre Billy Coleman who hit the gap and scored Pontes first try which was goaled by Liam Kaye. 0-7. Pontes pack put in a massive effort around the rucks, prop Josh Hough taking some pulling down and Gonzalez showing a thirst for the ball. Knottingleys pack and half backs were eventually sucked in and number 10 Liam Kaye chipped over the remaining defense, collected his own kicked ball and ran over the try line to score the points, kicking the goal and taking the score to 0-14 at half time.

Pontes re start for the 2nd half gifted the home side an opportunity, the visitors suffering a double penalty and a quick re start in the middle of nowhere was the signal for Knottingley to maintain possession,pile in and drive low over the line for the try which was goaled. 7-14.

Ponte had the chances but were intent on playing in the tight, occasionally being swamped by defenders. Ponte moved the ball around more and Knottingley defenders started to leave the gaps, centre Billy Coleman going in for his second try following a half break by Liam Kaye. Coleman goaled, 0-21. Another Tad turnover of the ball for the visitors gave Ponte a successive opportunity, No 10 Liam Kaye running against a turning defense, no 8 Aitor Gonzalez in full blooded support collected the pass and brushed off the final tackler to score his first try for the club which was goaled. 0-28. In the final play of the game Knottingley kicked deep into the visitors half from the kick off but the ball was returned. The home side full back took play to the wing and number 15 Liam Higgins for Ponte went for the tackle, then tearing the ball away to race in for the final try which was goaled. Final score 7-35.

A game played in good spirit. Ponte having a better second half, the home side never giving up. Stand outs Billy Coleman for his two trys which had to be scored. Liam Kaye for his creative play. The backs being more in play in the second half. Aitor Gonzalez scoring his first for the club and doing everything right in his first game for the club. Ponte 2nds are again in the pool for their next game on Saturday 20.09.14