Match report, Pontefract RUFC 2nds v Sheffield Engineers RUFC

Match report, Pontefract RUFC 2nds v Sheffield Engineers RUFC. Game played Saturday 27.10.18. at Moor Lane, kick off 3.0pm. Pontefract 2nds made it four league wins in a row with a hard fought game against a feisty and well drilled Sheffield Engineers side. Pontefract 10-16 behind at the break. A superb second half effort produced a purple patch and more opportunities to earn a win from a34-28 final score. The Engineers made the better start, taking advantage from a host of home side unforced errors. Sheffield Engineers played to their strengths and welcomed the home side forwards attack. From a penalty Pontefract who were then down to fourteen men enabled the Engineers to use the overlap and score their first try. Pontefract replied with half chances but good tackling nulled the home sides mid field effort. A high tackle coughed up a further try for the visitors.0-10. Pontefract’s fly half Richard Hossack made a searing break for the supporting centre Kieron Tucker to go over for the try and keep Pontefract in contention. Sheffield increased their score from two more penalties and looked at this stage the more productive. Pontefract went close but the visitors went in at the side of the ruck. Number 8 Andy Townsend crashing over from subsequent play to score the try. Half time score 10-16. Pontefract made the changes and tightened the play to get go forward momentum. Kieron Tucker going in for his second try. Followed on with a steal from lock Andy Fenton who then brushed off the defenders down the tight side to score his try, Richard Hossack goaled. 22-16. Missed first up tackling allowed Sheffield Engineers to bounce back with a no surrender try. 22-21. Pontefract’s effective kicking from Hossack and Shand pinned the visitors in their own half. Centre Ross Shand going
in for a home side try. Prop Ethan Potts taking a quick penalty move to crash over the line for the try which consolidated Pontefract’s lead. 34-21. Against the run of play a loose ball squirted up into the Engineers quick hands and the break out caught the home side defenders on the turn, resulting in an opportunist try. 34-28. The visitors characteristic found renewed vigour, however in the closing minutes Pontefract finally slammed the door shut, clamped onto the ball and held the play to wind the clock down. Final score 34-28. Overall a team win. A strong second half made the difference, but the visitors were relentless and Pontefract occasionally took their foot off the pedal. All try scorers were key, stand outs were Stead, Tucker, Fenton, full back Dedicoat and wing Edwards raced around all the game. Scrum half Wheater was in the thick of it. The pack worked overtime. Pontefract 2nds are at home, Saturday 03.11.18. playing Sheffield Medics. Another league game.