Pontefract demonstrated a very strong defensive game that simply ground Keighley down in a 51-5 victory at Moor Lane. Captain, Alex Wilson gave Pontefract the perfect start crashing over the line in the first minute, his raw power was could not be contained by Keighley. The tone of the game was set very early with some thunderous tackling from Wilson and Jamie Jex which knocked Keighley off their stride and it wasn't long before Dylan Fairburn crossed the try line for the first of his two tries, completing a 45 meter sprint to the line. Marshall Brown and Tom Webley missing from last week added some real go forward carrying the ball very well on a number of occasions, but was Webley that rumbled over the line next. Louis Wan took advantage of some poor ball control and steal the ball racing over the line. Just before half time Pontefract lost wing forward George Bailey when he picked up a shoulder injury in the contact area, this gave the chance Logan Fretwell to join the game for his debut game, he quickly took his opportunity scoring the final try before half time.
Pontefract started the second half much the same as the first half with strong tackling, pushing Keighley to play one up rugby. There were times where Pontefract were happy to defend keeping the edges of the ruck very tight pressurising Keighley to lose the ball, but at time there was some wonderful rugby played by Pontefract moving the ball allowing some penetrating runs from Jude Longstaff and Ben Mason. Pontefract pressed more and more but the Keighley defence was unable to hold Pontefract's runners. Will Goodall crossed twice along with Longstaff who scored the final try. Ethan Grant only picked up 3 conversions on the day with strong wind it was allows going tough to support the tries.
It was the way that Pontefract's defence operated that won the day, aggression and commitment from everyone but it was Jamie Jex who led from the front and was the star player of the day.