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Sat 24 Jan 2015 ·  South & Eastern Division One
2nd XVSheffield Medicals 2nds
Tries: B Dunn-Birch, H Mcallister
10
10
Seconds draw against an organised Medics
Jonathon Hill23 Aug 2019 - 05:57
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Griffin leads the pack, McAllister led the backline, but only a draw available on Saturday
Match report Pontefract RUFC 2nds v Sheffield Medics RUFC 2nds, game played Saturday 24.01.15. at Moor Lane,
KO 2.15 pm. Pontefract 2nds had to undergo a sterner and more rigorous encounter against a fired up and fit Sheffield
Medics 2nds team. Pontefract kicked off and made an excellent start when the Medics receiver pushed the ball forward
allowing the home side to set up a solid scrum 15 metres out from the visitors try line. Scrum half Jonny Mathews retained the ball and the forwards drove on with effect, prop Phil Lane going over for the try but frustratingly was ruled to have been held up as the opposition swarmed in over and around the ball. Again Pontefract battered the line, got over but sloppy play lost control of the ball. Two opportunities in as many minutes in the opening phases of the game. The medics were having none of it, Pontefract were lulled into trying to play individual rugby and the visitors robust play preventing the home side from creating a platform. Sheffields commitment to the ruck was bewildering but effective as Pontefract were penalised as they tried to fashion
some continuity of play. However both sides did manage, on occasions, to get over the gain line but the overall display was more of a rough house as each team tried to seize the initiative. Lock Rob Stinger making a pleasing come back in the loose and in defense. Aitor Gonzalez got through the work but had to retire injured. Prop James Griffin was yellow carded for not entering the ruck through the gate. Unsettled play facilitated the first score, a double penalty and a surprised re start of play allowed the visitors half back to run under the posts unopposed for the try which was goaled. 0-7. Pontefract replied on a number of occasions, Liam Kay moving the ball wide, but occasional spills much benefited the medics cause. half time score 0-7. At the restart Pontes lock Stu Haynes battered through the defense but the Medics continued to commit to the ruck, Pontefracts Martin Pashley and Scott Hawkins desperately trying to wrestle the ball free and play. At the same time the visitors deliberated following a front row injury and reasonably requested uncontested scrums, which tactically assured them of secured scrum ball. ( Pontefract had dominated the scrums from the outset ). Pontefract were penalised for off side and the Medics kicked the goal to further consolidate their lead, 5-10. Pontefract found a way through but again became isolated and at the break down the visitors terrier play usually came up with the ball one way or another. Matt Hargreaves came on at scrum half and took hold off Pontefracts effort by the scruff of the neck, marshalling the forward attack and minimising the unforced errors. The opportunity came, full back Ben Dunn-Birch came into the line following a long pass from Liam Kay, the tackling cover came across but he reached out to emphatically slam the ball down to score the try. no goal. 5-7. Pontefract repeated the attack in the same pattern and centre Harry Mcallister shot through the gap, raced to the line and to score the second home side try, no goal. 10-10. As the home sides renewed effort had more effect, a penalty was awarded in front of the posts but the kick faded to the wrong side of the cross bar. A further attack looked to have promise but the last pass went to ground. Pontefract were awarded a penalty, Matt Hargreaves went for the quick re start but was up ended by the the visitors number 8 who received a yellow card for his effort. Pontefract kicking to touch and the end of the game was indicated. Final score 10-10. A balanced result, Pontefract eventually found their way through an abrasive and very fit defense. Scoring two tries to one. The goal kicks would have had a beneficial effect to the final result and the initial breaches of the visitors try line should have readily coughed up early points. The Medics were a very competitive and relentless side who made the most of their strengths, opportunities and allowances. The returning from injury players made a good account of themselves, which will be pleasing to the Ponte players and coaches. Man of the match for the home side in the forwards was prop James Griffin and the backs was centre Harry Mcallister. Matt Hargreaves gelled the side in the 2nd half and kept Ponte 2nds on terms, Scott Hawkins grafted throughout. Pontefract 2nds game for this coming weekend Saturday 31.01.15. to be confirmed and announced.
KO 2.15 pm. Pontefract 2nds had to undergo a sterner and more rigorous encounter against a fired up and fit Sheffield
Medics 2nds team. Pontefract kicked off and made an excellent start when the Medics receiver pushed the ball forward
allowing the home side to set up a solid scrum 15 metres out from the visitors try line. Scrum half Jonny Mathews retained the ball and the forwards drove on with effect, prop Phil Lane going over for the try but frustratingly was ruled to have been held up as the opposition swarmed in over and around the ball. Again Pontefract battered the line, got over but sloppy play lost control of the ball. Two opportunities in as many minutes in the opening phases of the game. The medics were having none of it, Pontefract were lulled into trying to play individual rugby and the visitors robust play preventing the home side from creating a platform. Sheffields commitment to the ruck was bewildering but effective as Pontefract were penalised as they tried to fashion
some continuity of play. However both sides did manage, on occasions, to get over the gain line but the overall display was more of a rough house as each team tried to seize the initiative. Lock Rob Stinger making a pleasing come back in the loose and in defense. Aitor Gonzalez got through the work but had to retire injured. Prop James Griffin was yellow carded for not entering the ruck through the gate. Unsettled play facilitated the first score, a double penalty and a surprised re start of play allowed the visitors half back to run under the posts unopposed for the try which was goaled. 0-7. Pontefract replied on a number of occasions, Liam Kay moving the ball wide, but occasional spills much benefited the medics cause. half time score 0-7. At the restart Pontes lock Stu Haynes battered through the defense but the Medics continued to commit to the ruck, Pontefracts Martin Pashley and Scott Hawkins desperately trying to wrestle the ball free and play. At the same time the visitors deliberated following a front row injury and reasonably requested uncontested scrums, which tactically assured them of secured scrum ball. ( Pontefract had dominated the scrums from the outset ). Pontefract were penalised for off side and the Medics kicked the goal to further consolidate their lead, 5-10. Pontefract found a way through but again became isolated and at the break down the visitors terrier play usually came up with the ball one way or another. Matt Hargreaves came on at scrum half and took hold off Pontefracts effort by the scruff of the neck, marshalling the forward attack and minimising the unforced errors. The opportunity came, full back Ben Dunn-Birch came into the line following a long pass from Liam Kay, the tackling cover came across but he reached out to emphatically slam the ball down to score the try. no goal. 5-7. Pontefract repeated the attack in the same pattern and centre Harry Mcallister shot through the gap, raced to the line and to score the second home side try, no goal. 10-10. As the home sides renewed effort had more effect, a penalty was awarded in front of the posts but the kick faded to the wrong side of the cross bar. A further attack looked to have promise but the last pass went to ground. Pontefract were awarded a penalty, Matt Hargreaves went for the quick re start but was up ended by the the visitors number 8 who received a yellow card for his effort. Pontefract kicking to touch and the end of the game was indicated. Final score 10-10. A balanced result, Pontefract eventually found their way through an abrasive and very fit defense. Scoring two tries to one. The goal kicks would have had a beneficial effect to the final result and the initial breaches of the visitors try line should have readily coughed up early points. The Medics were a very competitive and relentless side who made the most of their strengths, opportunities and allowances. The returning from injury players made a good account of themselves, which will be pleasing to the Ponte players and coaches. Man of the match for the home side in the forwards was prop James Griffin and the backs was centre Harry Mcallister. Matt Hargreaves gelled the side in the 2nd half and kept Ponte 2nds on terms, Scott Hawkins grafted throughout. Pontefract 2nds game for this coming weekend Saturday 31.01.15. to be confirmed and announced.
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