Pontefract v Driffield u14

Pontefract u14 made a significant step froward in their development with a hard fought win against Driffield. Although there was very little between the two side Pontefract worked tirelessly to the final whistle. It was the start that allowed Pontefract to peg Driffield back into their own half and after some good phases of play it was Alex Wilson who drove through a number of tackles to score his first try for Pontefract. Throughout the first half Pontefract's scrum operated very well competing with well drilled Driffield side, but it was the defence that stood out for Pontefract, strong tackling from Captain, Marshall Brown and Jamie Jex. Towards the end of the first half scrum half Ethan Grant was forced to leave the field, which meant a rejigging of the back line and the introduction of Will Goodall onto the wing. Elliot Stephens stepped into scrum half and Longstaff to outside half, it was Mason and Longstaff showed great skills in both attack and defence continually pressurising Driffield into handling mistakes.
Pontefract were leading 5 - 0 at half time and the second half started with purpose with again strong runs from Wilson and Tiffany, this allowed Fairburn to go on strong run crashing over extending Pontefract's lead to 10-0. Pontefract began sit back in defence and allowed Driffield to dominate the ball and when they did gain possession they were forced to kick to release the pressure. Longstaff showed some excellent touches and penetrating runs but that wasn't enough to stop Driffield to crossing the try line twice to take the lead 10-12. Unfortunately Quinn Haigh was forced to leave the field sustaining a facial injury after a strong run he caught the knee of the oncoming defence.
Into the last five minutes Grant released ball and with slick hands the ball found itself with Masons who broke the tackle to race down the wing to score in the corner. This proved to be the winning try, giving Pontefract the first win of the season 15-12.
Mason had a strong influence on the game but it was open side wing forward Jamie Jex with his tackling and commitment who was the star man of the game for Pontefract.