PRUFC 2s vs Morley

Second team match report from Saturday PRUFC 2s vs Morley.

After a last minute change of fixture Pontefract second team found themselves travelling away to Morley to play their alleged third team.
Requesting an early kick off to finish on time for the Calcutta cup Pontefract found themselves standing around waiting for Morley to re-immerge from the changing rooms which was to prove costly for Pontefract.
The early exchanges saw both sides driving the ball in well through the forwards with Matthew Hargreaves directing the play well and Andy Coleman running and passing the ball well in the backs, but the final pass just wouldn't stick.
A lapse in concentration and a missed tackle saw Morley burst through to score their opening try.
Pontefract rallied well from the restart with Liam and Scott Hawkins driving in good ball and Billy Coleman proving to be a nuisance in the loose to Morley setting up good second phase ball for the Pontefract backs. Hossack was starting to orchestrate well with Andy Coleman and alec running some nice lines and Stuart Dedicote adding extra pace to the line but still Pontefract couldn't find the finishing touch and from a another break in play Morley struck again to extend their lead to 14-0.
Changing at half time Pontefract started strong with Tom Hough and Andy Smith making good hard yards and the Pontefract backs pinning the Morley defence back In their 22 with pinpoint accurate kicks, but a lucky break and kick downfield from Morley found the Pontefract defence missing and Morley ran in their third converted try.
This final try seemed to spring Pontefract into life with Hargreaves now terrorising the Morley pack with quick darting runs and Andy Coleman having the game of his life in the centre.
The pressure soon told and from a lineout ball Scott Hawkins drove his way over the line to open the scoring for Pontefract.
With the Pontefract pressure mounting and them starting to rule the game Morley took the option of 3 points to extend their lead to 24-7 which proved to be a wise decision as shortly afterwards Pontefract scored again. This time through a well worked backs move seeing Andy Coleman hitting a flat pass to Alec who exploited his pace to burst through a gap and score under the posts.
Pontefract were now in the ascendancy with every move coming off and were soon applying the pressure again. A deft chip into the corner from the ever youthful winger Declan OMullane saw the ball bounce out a meter from the try line. From the ensuing line out Pontefract stole the ball and threw the ball outwide. Several quick hands along the back line created the gap and Andy Coleman scythed his way through the defence to score Pontefract 3rd try reducing the score to 24-21 after a superb drop goal conversion from Hossack.
Unfortunately with only 30 seconds remaining after the last try it was a tall order for Pontefract to salvage anything from the game other than pride.
Despite a less ideal start and first half, the second half performance showed some real grit and determination with Pontefract unlucky in the end.