Pontefract RUFC 2nds v Wheatley Hills RUFC 2nds

Match report Pontefract RUFC 2nds v Wheatley Hills 2nds. Game played Saturday 14.03.15. at Moor Lane. Kick off 2.15pm.

Pontefract 2nds played Wheatley Hills 2nds for the third time this season and creditably pulled off a hat trick of wins against
a mixed and developing team who are always rugged and competitive to the final whistle. Definitely a game of two halves for the
home side. The first half display of dynamic and structured rugby notched up a 21-0 lead. However the visitors were the only scorers in the second half and Ponte frustratingly squandered their opportunities .

Pontefract started the game as they had the previous week at Barnsley immediately taking the game to the visitors, number 7 Rob Stringer taking a great catch of the ball and tearing up field to test the Wheatley defence who were caught cold. The Ponte pack kept up the momentum although there were opportunities down the flanks. Wheatley were penalised for an up ending tackle. Liam Kay kicked to touch and from an excellent catch off the top by Rob Stringer the pack set up a drive to the line and number 8 Jonny Hill scored a well worked try which Liam Kay goaled 7-0. Pontefract suffered a double penalty and as a consequence Wheatley had their first opportunity to play in the home sides 22, however hooker Martin Pashley freed up the ball and Liam Kay kicked to clear. Again Pontefracts tackling stifled the opposition and from another good sequence of play scrum half Jonny Mathews took play one side and then the other turning the defenders, Richard Hossack making the half break and pacey winger Jordan Gill finishing the move and scoring the 2nd try which Liam Kay goaled 14-0. Pontefract were really on top at this stage and played the game at pace, fly half Liam Kay made the break, Stu Haynes and Nick Calvert secured possession, Rob Stringer drove on, the ball was pushed out to centre Harry Mcallister who went under the posts for the try which Liam Kay goaled. As Ponte eased off the visitors came back into the game but team defence and secure kicking from Kay nulled the effort. Wheatley were caught off side but the goal kick went to the right of the post. half time score 21-0.
The visitors were playing down hill in the second half and appeared to have re newed impetus. Ponte suffered a few injuries and re shuffled the side but overall squandered their opportunities. The visitors were awarded a try in the corner following a clatter of touch line flags, scored by Reese Norton. no goal. Pontefract defended well, Scott Hawkins, Rob Jepson and Ben Jones in the thick of it a usual. Final score 21-5. Another important journey win for the 2nds. Rob Sringer was the man of the match with Jonny Mathews for the most a stand out, Matt Hargreaves taking over late in the game, along with the returning young Nick Calvert. Hill, Gill and Mcallister scoring excellent and important first half tries which consolidated the lead. Pontefract 2nds are at home this coming weekend to Dinnington 2nds kick off 3.0pm