2s back on track with great win away at Barnsley

Match report Barnsley RUFC 2nds v Pontefract RUFC 2nds, game played Saturday 11.11.17. at Shaw Lane kick off 2.15pm.

A good start to the game along with a massive whole team effort earned a tremendous away win for Pontefract 2nds against Barnsley 2nds. The home side kicked off and Pontefract's receiver Andy Fenton tore into Barnsley's defensive line to put down a marker for the contest. The visitors maintained possession at the breakdown of play, scrum half Linden Metcalfe using his options to push his side into the home sides 22. Both sides looked to seize the initiative, Barnsley used their big forwards to good effect but Pontefract's front row of Dave Webb, Martin Pashley and Toby Field put in the tackles in the tight. The ball was pushed out wide and fly half Andy Coleman chip kicked behind the defenders and won the race for the ball to pick up and score the visitors first try which he converted for the extra points. 0-7. A relentless Pontefract enjoying assured possession from locks Brodie Mathews and Andy Fenton at the line outs. Scrum half Linden Metcalfe passed on to fly half Andy Coleman onto Ross Shand who released number 13 Oliver Jameson into space, full back Liam Wiggins linking in, to race over the line for the try. The goal kick just tipping to the left of the post. 0-12. Barnsley had their best spell but again resolute defence from Daz Smith and Scott Hawkins kept them at bay. Andy Fenton drove on from receiving the ball, number 6 Lee Bennett continued the attack and fly half Andy Coleman brushed off the final tackler to score the try and kick the goal. 0-19. Pontefract were caught off side and Barnsley elected to kick for goal to get much needed points on the board. 3-19. From a set move Brodie Mathews picked off the top and passed on to number 13 Oliver Jameson who raced through the defensively gap to score under the post. Any Coleman kicked the goal. Half time score 3-26. At the re start a re jigged visitors side suffered a defensive blip and a capable Barnsley took their opportunity to score their first try. No goal. 8-26. Ponte slammed the door shut and tightened the defence. Enthused three quarter Ross Shand took his opportunity from a quick penalty, catching the home side defence in disarray and then evade the final tackler to score the try under the posts Andy Coleman kicked the goal. 8-33. Prop Dave Webb picked off a quick throw to the front of the line from hooker Martin Pashley. Peeling off to drive the ball upfield Adam Edwards kept the ball moving across field through hands to fly half Andy Coleman who jinked through to score his hat trick and kick the goal. 8-40. Wing James Jenkins went close but gritty Barnsley kept at it. Scrum half Linden Metcalfe saw the next clean break opportunity and evaded the first tackler to race up field passing on to the supporting Oliver Jameson who scored the final try. Andy Coleman kicked the goal. Final score 8-47. The game had to be won and a massive team effort inclusive of the bench players created the continuous opportunities in attack and defence. Ross Shand was man of the match, stand outs Andy Coleman and Brodie Mathews.