Sheffield Tigers 2xv 41 Pontefract 7

Sheffield Tigers 2xv 41 Pontefract 7

Pontefract travelled to a very blustery Dore moor to play Sheffield Tigers who play their rugby in National division 2. The large, well drilled home pack dominated the set piece from the start and adapted to the stormy conditions forcing the visitors on the back foot from the kick off. Robust defence repelled a determined wave of forward attacks with Brody, Fenton and the Coleman brothers to the fore with some ferocious tackling.
After 15 minutes of intense pressure the home side finally crossed after several reset scrums created space out wide for Tigers to lead 5-0.
From the restart the Tigers backs scored an excellent free flowing try from their own 22m extending the lead to 10-0
Tigers repeated this flowing rugby from the restart, cutting through a shell shocked defence to stretch the lead to 15-0. A determined effort stopped the buoyant Tigers from running riot with Hawkins, Shand and Lawrie stifling a confident home side who attacked through their heavy pack and pack backs. However, the home side forced their way over under the posts, after the visitors had received a yellow card, to lead 22-0 at the interval.
Pontefract regrouped and came out with all guns blazing, throwing everything they had at the host's. Forwards and backs drove hard gaining possession and territory showing true 'Ponte grit' as they played into a swirling wind. Tigers had to alter their game plan with some deft tactical ķicking which forced the visitors back towards their own line. On one of these occasions the host's stole a lineout and crashed over for a converted try. 29-0
Ponte doggedly continued to play with pride and passion but we're undone by another long kick that fortuitously resulted in another try that stretched the lead to 34-0
The visitors efforts were finally rewarded when barnstorming centre, Steve Lawrie, crashed over for a converted try. 34-7
As the weather deteriorated both sides battled hard with the home side having the final score with a hotly disputed try that gave the scoreline 41-7 that didn't reflect the visitors efforts against an excellent Tigers.