Another win for Storming seconds

A blend of Pontefract RUFC,s stalwarts and developing players worked their socks off to combat gusting winds, driving rain and a determined visiting team of opponents, Yarnbury 3rds in a club friendly game "on the top pitch" at Moor lane. A torrid start for the visitors which gifted back Pontefract the ball and allowed a swift attack against a turning defense, a series of good supporting passes created the overlap and scrum half Danny Wheater raced over the line for the try.no goal. 5-0 with a few minutes on the clock. A shocked Yarnbury replied after a home side spill of the ball allowed them to get over the gain line into the home side 22. Outstanding effective defensive play from wing Declan O,mullane who snatched back possession and snuffed out the visitors attack.
Surges into the Yarnbury half from back row Tad Nyanjona had promise but the guile of key opposition players undid the effort. The weather countered
both sides play, Pontes effort was tremendous in the scrum, young, ever improving Nick Calvert again at hooker, along side clubman John Trevorrow and immense and robust Josh Hough. Broken play again getting a further score for the home side, full back Ben Jones collecting the ball from a long Yarnbury clearance kick and running deep into and evading the defenders, moving the ball onto Mark Edwards and Billy Coleman, centre Richard Hossack spotting the gap and slicing through to score the try in the corner. no goal. half time score 10-0. Pontefract had to work hard for their lead in the first half, for the most keeping their own feed at scrum time, James Brownsword and Danny Upson at locks securing ball, the wind effecting most of the line outs.
Pontefract continued to make changes throughout to share the game time. A great start to the 2nd half came from a Yarnbury kick off error, Ponefracts Brownsword went for the scrum and Dan Wheater pushed the ball wide with support from Aitor Gonzalez and Scott Hawkins. Finisher Richard Hossack
at fly half saw the opportunity and went between the defenders to score his second well worked try.no goal. Without doubt robust defending from the home side kept Yarnbury at bay but as Ponte rung the changes the visitors had some respite. Yarnbury killed the ball in front of the posts and Ross Shand
kicked the goal to take the score to 18-0. Danny Owen, Liam Hawkins. Colin Swift doing their stint in the pack and Jonny England on the wing.
The visitors used the strong wind and peppered full back Ben Jones with long kicks, a tiring home side defense allowed the visitors effective number 2
to slip through for a late try in the dying moments of the game. final score. 18-7. A tremendous effort from both sides in poor playing conditions. The game had to be won and strong grafting defensive play for the home side was key. Dan Wheaters try and Richard Hossacks brace of trys coming from early and sustained team effort. Scott Hawkins man of the match for being in the the thick of play all game. Ben Jones never had a minute at the back and the returning Tad Nyanjona again showing his potential. The game was played in good competative spirit. Pontefract are again at home to Ripon Saturday 04.04.15.