Pontefract U17s v Huddersfield YMCA U17s.

28.04.2016, Moor Lane
Pontefract U17s v Huddersfield YMCA U17s.
This fixture, postponed a number of times, was well worth waiting for and turned out to be the highlight of a long season.
With both squads at full strength, unbeaten Hudds wanting to round their season off in style and Ponte clearly wanting to spoil the party, this made for great entertainment.
Hudds made their intentions clear from the start by running everything. Wave after wave of forward drives tried to batter their way through Pontes defence but the Moor Laners were more than up to the task. Some massive hits ensued with Lewis Hibbert, EthanEthan Potts and Kye Evans making their mark.
This passage of play went on for the first 15 minutes until hit after hit started to take its toll and the ever busy Brodie Matthews started to get his hands on the ball at the breakdown.
Just as Ponte seemed to be turning the tide the referees intervention meant a number of penalties against the hosts and this gave Hudds the chance they needed and they eventually moved the ball wide and crossed in the corner and also goaled to make it 0 v 7.
This only appeared to make Ponte more determined and from the restart Will Godridge turned the ball over Callum Watts Marshalled his troops well and the forwards set up good field position through LeoHarrison and Tom Potter before Charlie Hanson burst through and fed his fellow centre JoeThrelfall to score. 5v7
Hudds kept to their game plan and continued to try and batter their way up field but once again Ponte smashed into them halting their progress. Charlie Hansons work rate was massive and lead the tackling stats which seemed to bouy his team mates who all raised their game.
Another set of forward drives allowed Ciaran Tucker to find Joe Threlfall who stepped his way to the line for his second which made it 10v7 at the break, clearly a score line that Hudds were not used to this season.
The second half was much the same with Hudds going close and getting held up over the line twice with great tackles from SamWilkinson-Pycock and Will Ashley.
As Ponte continued with their dogged defence Hudds tried to force the pass and Threlfall was on hand to intercept and race 40 metres for a crucial score under the sticks, goaled by Watts to make 17v7 with 12 minutes remaining.
The game was far from over and Hudds cranked up the tempo yet again and were finally rewarded with a try and goal to make it 17v14 with 2 mins on the clock.
A nail biting finish saw Hudds in possession until a bone crunching tackle from Lewis Hibbert caused the knock on. From the resulting scrum Watts fed Hanson who cleared to touch to end the game much to the home supporters relief.
Final score 17v14.
This was a fantastic advertisement for Rugby with both teams putting absolutely everything into the game. Well done to all concerned.
Charlie Hanson was voted MOM for his awesome defensive display.
The team also voted for Players Player of the Year and this was awarded to fly half Ciaran Tucker.