Match report Pontefract RUFC 2nds V Pocklington RUFC 2nds

Match report Pontefract RUFC 2nds V Pocklington RUFC 2nds. Game played Saturday 06.09.14 at Moor lane, KO 3.0 pm.

Pontefract 2nds showed their potential in the 1st game of the season against a well drilled and aggressive Pocklington 2nds side.

Pontefract made an impressive start, taking advantage of Pocklingtons short kick off, immediately taking the game into the oppositions half and putting them on the back foot. Lock Joe Morgan making an impressive break, however the final pass to winger Declan O’ Mullane went forward. An early opportunity for points gone!

The damp playing conditions effected the ball handling for both sides throughout and the resulting scrums were won or lost depending upon the initial scrum impetus. Pontefract quickly became aware and held their own ball feed, hooker Ellis Burke taking a few balls on the visitors put in. Pontes line out mis fired and although the

home side had the early initiative, as a consequence Pocklington were allowed back in the game. Pontefracts rugged tackling particularly from Rob Stringer and Scott Hawkins had a deciding effect and although the experienced visitors players created the initial chances, overall the home sides team defense stopped them in their tracks. Pocklington made the most of some extra ball time, however a dropped ball from the home side threequarters allowed a scrum on the five metre mark which the Ponte front row of Colin Swift, Ellis Burke and Liam Hawkins initially won. In the follow on play Pontes hooker was penalised for intefering with play. Pocklington put the pressure on and the forwards piled in from the penalty close up to the home side try line, Pocklington prop Helmet scoring the try, no goal. 0-5 and 31 minutes of play gone. Ponte immediately took play back into the visitors half , Pocklington swarmed off side to stifle the attack, Tristan Hibberts penalty kick at goal going wide in the downpour. half time score 0-5.

Ponte made another excellent start and scrum half Dan Wheater found the gap in the visitors defense but the ball went loose. The sustained effort from the home side resulted in the visitors giving away a double penalty, with defense depleted full back Ben Jones scooted through the final cover to score the try, no goal. 5-5. Ponte wanted the win but forced the play and again let the visitors back in. Pocklingtons number 18 was yellow carded and Ponte decided to move the ball wide, Pocklingtons cover held, Pontes Toby Thorpe being driven into touch close to the line. The visitors kicked down field into touch and from the line out where the home side did not actively compete, the blind side was left uncovered and Pocklingtons prop Helmet trundled over the line for an easy try, no goal. Number 10 for the home side Liam Kay retired injured and was replaced by stalwart Mark Edwards who settled the effort. Ponte again getting back into the visitors 22 and from good scrum play Danny Wheater went in for the try. No goal. Ponte kept play in the visitors half. Final score 10-10. Pontes man of the match was Rob Stringer who tackled himself to a standstill, Stand outs Scott Hawkins, Ben Jones and Danny Wheater. Pontefract managed to play all their squad which occasionally disrupted the flow, however the enthusiasm, commitment and refusal to go onto the back foot was exemplary. Overall a good team effort. Ponte 2nds are in the pool for next weeks game and therefore the fixture will be announced.