Pontefract 2nd XV v Dinnington 2nd XV

Pontefract 2nd XV v Dinnington 2nd XV
Pontefract’s matches against any Dinnington side always prove to be hard fought encounters played in an excellent spirit and this game was no exception. With a much changed side filled with a number of youngsters Pontefract immediately put them selves under pressure with a poor kick off resulting in a scrum on the half way line . Dinnington ran and chipped the ball forcing the home team into touch and from the resulting line out the Dinnington forwards mauled their way over the Pontefract line to open the scoring with an unconverted try .
From the restart Pontefract began to get into the game and started to play some expansive rugby trying to get the ball wide and stretch the Dinnington defence and were unfortunate not to get on the score board . A bit more steadiness in the passing would have resulted in chances not going to waste.
Although having a weight disadvantage the Pontefract pack held their own in the tight with David Webb anchoring the pack at open side prop and gradually got on top in the rucks and mauls. Tad Nyanjowa had storming game at number eight turning ball over in the tackle and breaking of rucks and mauls to make some hard yards and young Leo Harrison amking some telling tackles
Against the run of play Dinnington were awarded a penalty and taking a quick tap the Dinnington Scrum half jinked through a number of tackles before releasing his number eight for a free run to the line. Again the conversion was missed . Score 0 – 10 to the visitors.
Pontefract came back Tad stole the ball in the tackle and drove into the Dinnington half. Quick ball released full back Jimmy Wadsworth who’s eagerness to run had put pressure on the opposition defence a number of times. Sensing space out wide he chipped a superbly weighted kick over the defence. Liam Tennant did scooped the ball up to run in at the corner. The difficult kick was converted score 7-10 at half time.
Pontefract started the second half as they ended the first trying not to get into an arm wrestle with a much bigger pack and running at every opportunity and twice Tennat was edged into touch in the opposition 22. On the 55 minute mark an injury to a Dinnington player caused a prolonged break in play and on the restart a rejuvenated Dinnington pack began to dominate proceedings as the game turned scrappy. In the final 10 minutes Dinnington added another three unconverted tries to make the final score 7-25 to the visitors but Pontefract never stop trying to play their open expansive game.